CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Fox 4 spoke with Cape Coral Police about gang activity in the city, Friday, after a teen was arrested for a drive-by shooting.
19-year-old Justus Pierce is facing attempted murder charges, after he was accused of carrying out a drive-by shooting on Northeast 15th Place. An incident report revealed the victim sped to the Cape Coral Police department after shots were fire, and even crashed into a few cars on the way.
That victim is now being represented by attorney Thomas Busatta. During an interview, he told Fox 4 the drive-by was not random, but an attempt at revenge. Busatta believes Pierce may be involved with an organized crime ring in Cape Coral. "They're doing what they feel they want to do to invoke their own, what they feel, is street justice on snitches," Busatta said. "They're now retaliating against my client and have now ordered a hit on him for $700.00."
Cape Coral Police said they cannot comment on the particular case because it is an active investigation.
However, Fox 4 asked Cpl. Phil Mullen if gangs are something Cape residents should be worried about in general. "No. We will have gang associates who live in the city, and we'll identify them as soon as we come in contact with them," Cpl. Mullen replied. "Obviously, we're going to make arrests in those cases, or if there are guns in hands they shouldn't be, like convicted felons or children."
However, Cape Police say gang activity is not a pattern seen in Cape streets. "You're not seeing shootings in the streets in Cape Coral, you're not seeing them organizing crime within Cape Coral, but they may live here, but we don't see that sort of thing here."
