Press Releases

February 2007 murder in Fort Myers
Jan. 2, 2010

An unsolved homicide on the streets of Fort Myers still has investigators looking for witnesses, and clues, to put the case to rest.

It was almost three years ago that a 43-year-old father of three was taken from his family – killed at the hands of a gunman out to rob a stranger of his jewelry.

Fort Myers Police detectives are now trying to find answers in the February 2007 homicide of Robert Lee Marshall – a man who ventured into a strange neighborhood and came face to face with the wrong people. Police believe Marshall was driving a friend, in search of narcotics. The situation then turned violent – and Marshall was robbed – then murdered.

The shooting occurred at 3:30 on a busy Saturday afternoon, just three blocks off a major intersection along MLK in Fort Myers.

Robert Marshall lay dead with a single gunshot wound to the chest. The passenger fled on foot to get help for his injuries. The two black male suspects also fled on foot.

What investigators need at this point is for someone to come forward and identify these suspects, so they can be charged in this crime.

“There were two black males, and that’s where our investigation is focusing… we’re sure there are more witnesses in this case," said Det. Steve Tharaldsen of the Fort Myers Police Department.

While some information is known about the occurrences of that afternoon, police say they need a positive ID on the shooter in order to make an arrest. The case is at a critical stage now, and witnesses coming forward anonymously could make all the difference in putting a killer behind bars.

“I understand they live in fear in that area, but the first step is getting involved," Tharaldsen said.

Anyone providing information in the homicide of Robert Marshall will remain anonymous. Police don’t need to know the identity of the witnesses – they just need to know who committed the murder – before they have an opportunity to do so again.

Anyone who witnessed the murder on American Avenue in Fort Myers is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All information provided to Crime Stoppers will go directly to investigators and your identity will be protected. The Crime Stoppers hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.