Crime
Incident in Lee County Raises Concerns Over Handling of Assault on Teenage Girls
According to Barrett, officials told her that the girls “chose to jump out of the golf cart,” implying that the boy cannot be held responsible for their injuries.
Lee County, Florida — A traumatic incident involving a group of teenage girls in Lee County has left one girl hospitalized with severe injuries and another with a broken foot, sparking outrage over the response by authorities and emergency medical personnel.
According to Ambree Barrett, who reached out to Channel2 NOW to share her account, her daughter and her daughter’s best friend were driving a golf cart near their community, as they often do. The girls were accompanied by a friend, who brought along another individual they didn’t know well. Allegedly, this individual had been having ongoing issues with a boy who had been terrorizing her in the Babcock Ranch area.
The boy, upon seeing the girl on the golf cart, reportedly pursued the group in his car. During the chase, he lit a firework and threw it into the moving golf cart. The girls, fearing for their safety, jumped out of the vehicle to avoid being injured.
One of the girls, Kaia, sustained multiple fractures to her skull, a brain bleed, and a burn mark on her back from the firework. She remains in the trauma unit, suffering from a traumatic brain injury and significant pain. Her friend, who was driving the golf cart, suffered a broken foot, along with scratches and bruises. She has since been hospitalized twice due to seizures related to her injuries.
Adding to the family’s distress, Barrett shared that her daughter has cystic fibrosis, a condition that has been exacerbated by the physical and emotional toll of the incident.
Barrett alleges that when emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and firefighters arrived on the scene, they dismissed the severity of the girls’ injuries. She stated that EMTs told the girls they were “fine” and to find their own transportation to the hospital.
“I was on video chat with my daughter, and I could hear her screaming in pain while holding her head,” Barrett said. Despite this, EMTs reportedly told her daughter and her friend to walk, even though the friend had a broken foot.
The girls’ parents eventually transported them to the hospital, where Kaia was immediately transferred via ambulance, with lights and sirens, to a trauma center.
The boy accused of throwing the firework has been identified by multiple community members as Matthew Lopez, Gavin Wolf and Aiden Giordana, but Barrett claims that Lee County authorities have stated they cannot press charges.
According to Barrett, officials told her that the girls “chose to jump out of the golf cart,” implying that the boy cannot be held responsible for their injuries.
Barrett further alleges that the boy and his associates have a history of criminal behavior, including stealing cars, fighting law enforcement, and harassing young girls. She has received messages from other parents recounting their own negative experiences with the boy but notes that many are afraid to speak out due to fears of retaliation.
Barrett expressed frustration and disbelief over the lack of accountability and the handling of the situation. “How can these boys continue to terrorize the neighborhood simply because they are minors?” she questioned.
She also highlighted the disparity between the kindness and rule-abiding nature of her daughter and her friend compared to the violent behavior of the accused. “My daughter doesn’t bother anyone. She naturally follows the rules and respects everyone around her,” Barrett said.
Barrett is calling on Lee County officials to reevaluate the case and take appropriate legal action against those responsible. She also urges improvements in emergency medical response protocols to ensure that victims receive immediate and adequate care in similar situations.
For now, Kaia’s family is focused on her recovery while navigating the uncertainty and potential long-term effects of her injuries. The case, which has drawn significant community attention, remains a sobering reminder of the need for accountability and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals.
If you have information about this incident, you are encouraged to contact Lee County authorities and reference case #24-660516. Community members are also urged to report any incidents of harassment or violence to help prevent future occurrences.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.