Crime
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Shooting and Barricade Incident in Lehigh Acres
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has released details regarding a tragic series of events that began with the fatal shooting of a woman in Lehigh Acres and culminated in the death of a suspect from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family suffering from an unimaginable loss this Christmas,” stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “This senseless act, and the subsequent incident that followed, is both unfortunate and devastating to our community as a whole. I am incredibly proud of my team members who worked tirelessly over the last 30 hours to conduct a thorough investigation, ultimately providing some form of closure to the victim’s family today.”
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Nora Avenue in Lehigh Acres.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a female victim had been fatally shot.
The suspect fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Due to the severity of the crime, the LCSO Homicide Unit, alongside the Electronic Surveillance Unit, Real-Time Intelligence Center, and the State Attorney’s Office, launched an intensive investigation. Detectives established probable cause to arrest the suspect for Second-Degree Murder and Battery on a Person 65 or Older.
Tuesday morning, the LCSO Special Operations Unit (SOU) responded to a residence on 9th Street Southwest in Lehigh Acres, where the suspect was believed to be barricaded.
SOU members collaborated with the Electronic Surveillance Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Fugitive Warrants Unit, and K9 Unit to gain access to the home.
During the operation to locate and apprehend the suspect, deputies discovered a deceased male inside the residence. Preliminary findings indicate that the individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to piece together the events surrounding both incidents.
Sheriff Marceno reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, even during such tragic circumstances.
The LCSO extends its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
For further details or to provide information, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Crime
Two Children, Ages 9 and 10, Charged in Brutal Assault and Attempted Murder of 5-Year-Old A’Marie Jones in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two children, ages 9 and 10, have been formally charged in connection with the brutal assault and attempted murder of a 5-year-old girl A’marie Jones in Cleveland last month, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors confirmed that the 9-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl are facing serious felony charges, including attempted murder, rape, felonious assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.
Because of their ages, both suspects are being charged as juveniles.
The alleged attack occurred on September 13 in a field near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue, where investigators say the young victim was discovered severely injured.
The child’s mother, Antavia Kennibrew, previously told that her daughter suffered catastrophic injuries, describing the scene as “unbelievable.” Kennibrew said she had dropped her daughter off at a relative’s home near East 145th Street and St. Clair Avenue that day.
At some point, the 5-year-old reportedly wandered out of the house alone before being attacked.
“When I saw her, she was unrecognizable,” Kennibrew said. “Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood, her lips and mouth were swollen and bleeding, and her nails were filled with dirt and debris.”
First responders rushed the child to the hospital for emergency treatment. Officials say she continues to recover but has suffered severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. She is now undergoing ongoing therapy and counseling.
Due to the extreme sensitivity of the case and the involvement of minors, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has declined to release further details, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the victim’s privacy.
“The investigation remains active,” prosecutors said, noting that authorities are still reviewing evidence and gathering additional information.
Kennibrew says her focus now is on helping her daughter heal:
“I just want her to be able to live like a normal 5-year-old again.”
Cleveland police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.