Press Releases

Mother's Day murder
July 5, 2008

A Fort Myers man was gunned down in the middle of a neighborhood block party, and a little boy was shot in the face. Now police need your help identifying and tracking down the shooter.

Mother’s Day will always be a day to remember for one Fort Myers mom – whose five year old son was caught in the crossfire of a murder – and suffered a gunshot wound to the face.

"The bullet went through our window… he jumped out of the car and said someone shot our baby," she said.

And still, the man who murdered Fort Myers resident Willie Fletcher and shot five year old Leon Thomas remains unidentified, and at large.

Det. William Murphy said the shootings happened during a neighborhood block party on May 11th. An unknown assailant chased 20 year old Willie Fletcher through the crowd and down the road, firing on him at least five times.

“To date, no one has come forward who knows anything about this incident," Murphy said.

It’s impossible to think that a man could be gunned down in this neighborhood, and a little boy shot, in the middle of a block party, yet no one saw a thing. Detectives say there were more than 100 potential witnesses on hand that night – all they need is just one person to come forward with something as simple as a name.

Leon’s mom says her son is healing – though the memory of being shot in the face will probably never go away. Family members are disheartened that witnesses to the shooting refuse to come forward – and that the man responsible for shooting her son and murdering another man, is getting away with it.

“Somebody’s walking around that hurt a five year old child. You’d think someone would want to turn them in," the boy's mother said.

Detectives say the person responsible for killing Willie Fletcher and shooting the little boy is a danger to our community, and until he’s apprehended, there’s a chance for more innocent victims to get hurt.

“They definitely have the potential to do this again. No doubt about it," Murphy said.

Anyone with information on the murder of Willie Fletcher and the shooting of the little boy on Mother’s Day night is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.