Luis Rodriguez Aldama has been convicted of one count of Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm (including all special findings) and one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a four-day trial in Lee County.
Assistant State Attorney Brenda Wade, of the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit, and Assistant State Attorney Leena Marcos prosecuted the case.
On March 15, 2021, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an active shooter at a residence in Fort Myers. Multiple witnesses called 911 and advised there was a man with a gun who had fired several shots outside of a residence, then chased a person into the residence and fired several more shots.
Deputies responded to the scene and learned the victim was still in the residence with the suspect. There had been multiple people in the home as the shooting began but they all managed to escape. As deputies were on scene, dispatch advised they received an additional 911 call with an open line and only heavy breathing could be heard. Due to the circumstances, a distraction device was deployed into the residence and deputies made entry.
The victim, a female, was located on the floor up against a bed, with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect, later identified as the defendant, Luis Rodriguez Aldama, was lying on his back, near the victim. He had a gun on his chest and surrendered to law enforcement. The defendant had a gunshot wound to his hip and was transported to the hospital. The victim was pronounced dead on scene.
The investigation revealed that the victim had an injunction for protection order against the defendant and had a scheduled court hearing March 16, 2021, the day after the shooting, to extend the injunction. She had just returned to Florida for the hearing. Hours before the shooting, the defendant went to the home to try to talk the victim out of going to court. The victim then contacted the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy arrived but the defendant had already fled the scene.
Hours later, another member of the household saw someone walk onto the property and went outside. The defendant, who had taken an Uber to get to the home, was now hiding in the female victim’s SUV and started shooting through the window, as the person approached. That person, now also a victim, took cover as the defendant continued shooting. The defendant then chased after the female victim as she ran into the home and attempted to hide in a bedroom where the defendant pushed his way in and shot and killed her.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2024.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director