The man shot during a weekend beach party in Naples is speaking out for the first time, describing chaos, gunfire, and a wound that luckily did not end his life.
Gabriel Pelletier, 24, told Gulf Coast News he had just arrived at Seagate Beach around 9 p.m. Saturday when the violence erupted. He said he had heard there was a party going on and decided to check it out with a friend.
“We got here at 9:00. It didn't last long for hell to break loose," said Pelletier.
Within minutes, Pelletier said they saw 20 to 30 teens scattering from the beach access area. He believes it was an after-grad party — mostly high schoolers, aged 16 to 19.
“It was a fist fight at first. A group of individuals piled on one kid who fell to the ground. I looked away for five seconds, and then I hear about five gunshots," said Pelletier.
One of those bullets struck him in the calf. Another hit his car.
Naples police confirm they were first called to the Naples Pier around 5 p.m. Saturday for reports of a fight in a public restroom. That group dispersed when officers arrived. Around 9 p.m., police responded to Seagate Beach for reports of underage drinking and partying. Witnesses said it was a high school party with dozens of minors present. As police approached, the crowd began to scatter again — and that’s when the shots were fired. NPD told Gulf Coast News those incidents were connected.
“You could have killed any one of us. There were 30 to 40 people there,” said Pelletier.
Police have not yet confirmed if a suspect has been identified. None have been arrested. Pelletier says he hopes the shooter realizes the consequences of his actions.
“You’re young, man. What the f--- are you doing? You’re in Naples. You’re not in Detroit. You’re not in Chicago. This is my hometown. Don't do this," said Pelletier.
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