FORT MYERS, Fla. - Could more reward money finally help detectives solve the deadly mass shooting at Club Blu? One community activist in Fort Myers thinks so.
"Are you going to risk your life and your family's life to come forward for $21,000? Nobody's going to do that," said Anthony Thomas, a Fort Myers resident.
Right now, $21,000 is on the table for information that leads to a conviction.
The July 25th shooting left 18-year-old Ste'fan Strawder and 14-year-old Sean Archilles dead and more than a dozen others injured.
As of Thursday, the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.
"Those moms had to bury their sons. There's no price tag on that," said Trish Routte, with Crime stoppers. She tells Fox 4 that tips have slowed down immensely over the past several weeks. "The tip well has dried up in this case and it's very frustrating."
Thomas says key witnesses may fear retaliation and that's why police need to do more to protect those who come forward.
"You need to be able to offer enough money so where these people can move out of the area, and I think $200,000 dollars is a good number," he said.
But is 10 times more money the answer in this case?
Trish Route says, "It shouldn't be. Money should not be the difference in this case. Human life, morality, doing what's right, that should be the difference in this case."
Anthony Thomas argues that officials need to consider the plight of those who live in Dunbar. "You don't have to deal with the consequences and repercussions of somebody shooting up your house."
However, Trish Routte says there won't be any consequences or repercussions because tipsters who call can always remain anonymous.
"I don't know how they can put their head on their pillow at night and go to sleep knowing that they have critical information that can put killers behind bars yet they choose to remain silent. It does not make sense," Routte said.
Routte adds that because Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit, they can only contribute $1,000 max to the reward money pot. Any additional money would have to come from the Fort Myers Police Department, the FBI or private donors.
Crime stoppers are still in need of tips. If you have any information that can help police, you are urged to call 1800-780-TIPS.
