FORT MYERS, Fla. — Authorities in Southwest Florida have announced an arrest in the 2015 fatal shooting in downtown Fort Myers during a busy street festival that left one man dead and several others injured.
23-year-old Jose Raul Bonilla of Immokalee is facing numerous charges including 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm (5 counts), and tampering with evidence.
The Fort Myers Police Department made the announcement Monday morning at a press conference featuring Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott, Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, the FBI and the State Attorney's Office.
"This was a team effort between all of us," said FMPD's Capt. Jay Rodriguez.
The shootings happened October 17, 2015 at the ZombiCon Festival in downtown Fort Myers. 20-year-old Expavious Tyrell Taylor was killed and six others were wounded.
There were an estimated 20,000 attendees at the festival, which was a fundraiser for the Pushing Daizies organization. Authorities say the investigation was complicated by the fact that many festival attendees were wearing masks, had fake weapons, and were wearing fake blood.
Future festival dates were canceled.
Capt. Rodriguez says investigators reviewed numerous surveillance images from the scene and spoke to dozens of witnesses in the case.
However, despite the arrest, the investigation is still ongoing. People in the Immokalee area are asked to come forward with any information on Bonilla, as they believe he has spoken about the case to others.
Investigators did not answer any questions at Monday's press conference.
