Nathaniel Pitts, a 17-year-old African American male from Fort Myers, FL, tragically lost his life on March 25, 2016, in a drive-by shooting. The incident occurred on the 2700 block of Dr. Ella Piper Way in the Dunbar neighborhood around 10:50 a.m. Nathaniel was found lying on the grass by a Fort Myers detective who was nearby investigating a previous shooting.
Despite the detective's efforts to administer CPR, Nathaniel was pronounced dead at Lee Memorial Hospital.
The investigation revealed that Nathaniel was shot while walking in the neighborhood. Witnesses reported seeing a green early-2000s model Nissan Altima with tinted windows fleeing the scene. The Fort Myers Police Department has been actively seeking information regarding the vehicle and its occupants, but as of now, no arrests have been made.
Nathaniel Pitts had a history of encounters with law enforcement. At the age of 14, he was arrested for unarmed robbery, and in October 2015, he was involved in a shooting incident at the Thomas Street Apartments, leading to charges of shooting into an occupied dwelling and felony criminal mischief. These past incidents have been considered in the ongoing investigation to determine if there is any connection to his murder.
The tragedy of Nathaniel's death was compounded by further violence in his family. Just two days after Nathaniel's murder, his older brother, Natyri Pitts, was shot while playing basketball. Fortunately, Natyri survived the shooting. The family has been deeply affected by these events, and the community has expressed concerns over the ongoing violence in the area.
The Fort Myers Police Department continues to investigate Nathaniel Pitts' murder, urging anyone with information to come forward. Despite the efforts, the case remains unsolved, leaving the family and community seeking justice for the young life lost.
