Marlon Aaron Illescas, 42, of Cape Coral, was found guilty as charged of six counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and Shooting At, Within, or Into a Building. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a three-day trial in Lee County.
The crime began around 11 a.m. on October 23, 2021. The defendant was seen holding a gun at a restaurant on Palm Beach Boulevard in Lee County. The Fort Myers Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and the defendant pointed his gun at them and then ran to a nearby McDonald’s.
He fired shots at law enforcement as he ran and then barricaded himself inside the restaurant’s bathroom. Luckily, none of the officers or deputies were hit.
Law enforcement was able to safely get patrons and employees out of the restaurant. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Myers Police Department then formed a perimeter around the building as additional units were called in. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team talked to the defendant to encourage him to come out and when he refused, they deployed OC gas. He came out and was taken into custody.
Assistant State Attorney Steven Vitale prosecuted the case. Sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2023.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office