One Lehigh Acres family is recovering from a violent armed home invasion that occurred around 10pm Thursday July 07, 2016 at Vista Palms apartment complex between Homestead Rd & Alabama Rd.
The terrorizing attack began with a unidentified black male, approaching one of the victims, a early 30s adult white male Fred (as we will only use the first names out of respect for the victims) with a gun demanding money.
Fred handed over all the money he had, which turned out to be a whopping $2.00. The unidentified black male then demanded more money and forced at gun point the victim Fred into his home.
“I did not know what was going on, I just grabbed my baby girl and ran to the bedroom closet with her,” said Mary (Fred’s 38 week pregnant wife), who then began having contractions. “I was terrified that I was going to have my unborn son right then and there” said Mary.
Meanwhile, the unidentified black male attacker began to threaten Fred and his elderly father at gun point still demanding more money. “If we had money do you think we would be living here” said Fred in reply to the unidentified black male attacker.
At that moment Fred all the while thinking to himself, “I must protect my family” began to wrestle the gun from the unidentified black male attacker who then pistoled whipped both Fred and his elderly father.
Seconds’ later the unidentified black male attacker pointed the gun at Fred’s head and pulled the trigger. Hearing the click of the gun and not a firing of a round, Fred’s elderly mother who was in the room also during the attack began hitting the unidentified black male attacker with her cane. “I thought I was going to lose my son, when he pulled the trigger” said Fred’s mother
Moments later the unidentified black male attacker grabbed two cellphones and Fred’s mother’s cane, before fleeing.
It turned out that Fred had unknowingly disabled the gun, by releasing the guns magazine and the chambered round making the gun nothing more than a blunt object.
The victims are also seeking answers from Vista Palms management, as they stated that they and other residents in the complex have complained about the lack of lighting around the complex. “Lighting may not have prevented the crime but it may have taken him to another area,” said Fred.
We have tried to get a response from Vista Palms about this attack and the seemingly high crime within its complex, with no reply as of the writing of this article.
The suspect is described as a black male approximately 6-foot, 175 to 200 pounds, in his late 20s or early 30s, with a two- to five-inch beard. He was wearing a camouflage jacket, black cargo pants and a handkerchief on his face, and used a black semi-automatic 9mm pistol during the robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be made at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by texting to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.