Fort Myers man killed in shootout with officers, police say
An armed suspect died after exchanging gunfire with Fort Myers police Thursday, according to a press release by the Fort Myers Police Department.
After being shot by police, Javier Starling, 21, of Fort Myers, died at Lee Memorial Hospital, according to police. Police returned fire on Starling after he attempted to flee from and shoot at officers, the report said.
No police officers were injured in the pursuit, but four civilians were taken to the hospital after a car chase resulted in two crashes.
Police responded to reports of shots fired at 3811 Metro Parkway at 1:41 p.m., according to Fort Myers police. Based on information from a 911 caller, officers attempted to stop Starling in a Lincoln Navigator, according to the department, but he fled.
Police say Starling crashed twice once with a police patrol car and the other with a minivan.
Starling then fled on foot before shooting at two officers. They returned fire and hit the gunman.
Video captured by NBC-2 shows officers attempting CPR on the suspect to revive him. However, the department said Starling was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Two adults and two children involved in a crash during the chase were taken to the hospital “as a precaution,” police say.
The two officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, pending the outcome of an investigation conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the department’s Professional Standards Bureau.


