Gulf Coast News spoke with the manager of Mel’s Diner after a fugitive from Polk County was shot by law enforcement outside the restaurant Wednesday afternoon.
Coco Crowley, the manager of Mel’s Diner , described the tense moments inside the restaurant as chaos unfolded just outside the doors.
“It was my job to make sure that everyone in the building was safe,” Crowley said. “That was my only thought.”
According to the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD), the shooting was carried out by a U.S. Marshals Service task force. No law enforcement officers or bystanders were injured in the incident.
The suspect, identified as Myles Strickland, was taken into custody and transported to the hospital. The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed Strickland was a wanted fugitive out of Polk County, facing multiple charges, including grand theft (firearm), burglary, armed burglary, petit theft, grand theft, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Tyler Parker, who was visiting the restaurant when the shooting happened, recalled the panic that set in.
“Five minutes after we sat down, people just started panicking,” Parker said. “Then maybe about ten minutes later after that, a marshal walked in and was like, 'hey, we got close the place down.'"
Despite the frightening experience, Crowley said the staff at Mel’s Diner is ready to welcome customers back with the same warm service.
“Nothing will change. Nothing will ever change us,” she said. “We’re just grateful it turned out the way it did.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has taken over the investigation. FMPD remains on the scene assisting. It is unclear what led up to the shooting.
"'We are very grateful to law enforcement for thwarting anything that could have been of further danger to our valued guests, our staff, and everyone that was in the vicinity of the building when this happened today," Crowley said.
This is a developing story. You can count on Gulf Coast News to provide updates as they are received.
