A bystander who shot and killed a man who was attacking a deputy near a southwest Florida highway has been given a new gun to replace the one he used in the shooting.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office tells the News-Press the bystander had a concealed weapons permit and ordered 53-year-old Edward Strother to stop attacking the deputy before opening fire along Interstate 75 in Estero on Monday.
Officials have called the shooter a good Samaritan. The sheriff’s office is not naming the bystander because the incident is under investigation. No charges have been filed.
With the shooter’s gun impounded as evidence, local gun shop owner Mark Williams says he reached out to offer the man a replacement firearm. Sheriff’s deputies accompanied the shooter to the store to pick up the handgun Tuesday.
Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott praised the gun shop in a Facebook post.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
I think all Sheriff dept.’s and Police Departments should reward those persons having CCW permits with a new Gun of their choice, who save officers lives.
It’s so sad that people are so out of control that they are attacking the police, it happened where I live a few days ago, the police were called to a domestic dispute in a parking lot, and the crazed man lunged at the officer, which started a scuffle and the cop shot the man, as far as I know that man died. The police department said the officer was unharmed, although a witness said the officer’s head was bleeding and he was concerned for his welfare. This is Real America, where people care about police and civilians alike. The police responded because the public was in danger, and the people were concerned for the officer’s well being, as it should be. The truth is “All Lives Matter”, red and yellow, black and white, we are in His (God’s) sight.
My personal opinion is that the lives of criminals who attack police don’t matter. If they would attack a police officer, they would just as soon attack you. There are evil people in this world who don’t deserve to breath the same air that we do.
Right ON!
I think that any American Citizen should be able to carry a concealed or open carry especially those of us who have served in our military . Problem some of us have made a minor mistake while young , I was able to enlist in the Marines and served and got an Honorable Discharge yet I cannot get a concealed carry permit because of a minor offence I did over 40 years ago ! I think it would be a much safer place if there were more citizen carrying firearms !
If I seen a officer being attacked I would use my gun to protect him too. We citizens who have a permit to carry need to watch out for our officers. I have protected my home and family on different occasions.
Still gives me goosebumps. Thank goodness that man was there and saved the officers life!
Finally a positive breath of fresh air. There are many people who would come to the assisstance of the police if they felt that they would not get shot in so doing. This offer of a gun, while the mans gun is in evidence, clearly makes a statement.
“Oh, sir, we have your gun and you may need one so let us assist you by presenting you this small token of our appreciation.” NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS AT ALL. You give up your gun then YOU arenow defenseless. Trust me, once you have taken that step you are just as likely to face the situation again as any police officer in this country.
We must all stand together with law enforcement presenting a solid front against criminals, terrorists and other lawless individuals.
Thank you Sheriff – you made a huge statement.
Thanks for a job well done. I am thinking about replacing my 45. cal. colt, and am looking at a .45 Kimber. If that gun dealer has a website, please post it and I will buy my Kimber from him. Even if his price is higher than at other web sites. Also, I am willing to replace the ammo. that good man expanded on the thug.
I live in Lee County …. proud of all our officers, they deserve our respect and help … I think this is a great thing to do
If I suspected the police would confiscate my weapon as “evidence” after I saved someone, even the police, from being possibly beaten to death,I doubt I would use my weapon in a case such as this whereupon it would take away my ability to protect myself and my family. Why wasn’t a picture adequate to be used as evidence?
WHEN IN A POSITION LIKE THIS LAWENFORCEMET SHOULD WAVE CONFISCATION! BECAUSE CONSEALED CARRY PERMIT HOLDERS WILL ALWAYS COOPERATE WITH LAWENFORCEMENT IN THESE MATTERS!! THATS WHY THEY GO TO THE TROUBLE OF GETTING ONE TO START WITH!!!!
Gerald Mann You can get one if you go thru a process that I have had others do, don’t have any idea how to get in touch , but you need to recheck about getting a CPL
We had a State Trooper come to our come to ask if we would testify for him. He killed a man in our yard with a knife that was coming after me. I am in a wheelchair and my chair got stuck in the mud. He was going to kill me and the Trooper drove by and saw the scene and got out of his car and tried to stop the man. The man was my x husband and he told me when I left him he would kill me if I divorced him Well I did and he found out.
I yes I did testify for the Trooper and was glad to do it and I would do it again.