NEWS

Nightmare on First Street: Fatal shooting at ZombiCon

Melissa Montoya, BEN BRASCH, and Michael Braun
The News-Press
The body of Expavious Tyrell Taylor, 20, lies Saturday in downtown Fort Myers. Taylor was shot and killed Saturday night at Zombicon. Five other people were wounded in the shooting as well.

Authorities have identified Expavious Tyrell Taylor, 20, of Okeechobee, as the victim of Saturday night's shooting at Zombicon in downtown Fort Myers.

Four surviving victims were taken to the Lee Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Lt. Victor Medico of the Fort Myers Police Department, and a sixth victim has been announced this morning. That unidentified victim suffered from a gunshot-wound laceration and refused medical attention.

The shooter was still at large Sunday morning, police said.

Taylor graduated from Clewiston High School in May and was listed on the roster at ASA College, a junior college in Miami, as an offensive lineman. According to Clewiston High's roster, Taylor was a 6-foot-4, 240-pound offensive lineman/defensive end his senior year for the Tigers.

ZombiCon, an annual event in its ninth year, was expected to have drawn more than 20,000 people.

"There was a lot of witnesses down here, there were a lot of people taking pictures, videos with their cellphone," Medico said. "Anything that could help with this investigation would be greatly appreciated."

The shots began at 11:44 p.m. in the 2200 block of First Street, he said. A victim suffering from a gunshot wound was located in front of 2224 First St. and died at the scene.

Right after the shooting, crowds at the ZombiCon were seen running from the area through De Leon Plaza.

Minutes later, police strung crime scene tape across the entrance to the plaza and started clearing bars and downtown streets.

Scenes from a shooting Saturday during Zombicon in downtown Fort Myers. The shooting left one dead and four others wounded according to Lt. Victor Medico of the Fort Myers Police Department. The four surviving victims were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, he said. The shooter was at large early Sunday morning.

FMPD officers with rifles patrolled the streets around the crime scene and ordered people milling around to clear the area.

Scenes from a shooting Saturday during Zombicon in downtown Fort Myers. The shooting left one dead and four others wounded according to Lt. Victor Medico of the Fort Myers Police Department. The four surviving victims were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, he said. The shooter was at large early Sunday morning.

Lee County sheriff's deputies assisted FMPD officers dispersing the ZombiCon crowd.

Fort Myers police are looking for people with videos, photos and other media of the shooting to share it with them. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fort Myers Police Department at 239-321-7700, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) Keyword FMPD. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

This is the second time this week shots were fired in downtown Fort Myers.

Shots were fired at a Cigar Bar employee on Tuesday.