Oct. 17, 2015, is a date that many in Fort Myers will never forget. It marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic mass shooting that took place during Zombicon, a popular outdoor event in downtown Fort Myers.
Thousands gathered in costume for a night of music and fun, but the evening turned into chaos when shots were fired. The incident left five people injured and claimed the life of 20-year-old Expavious Tyrell Taylor.
WINK News spoke with Trish Routte from Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers about the case. Routte emphasized the importance of community cooperation and anonymous tips in leading to an arrest.
"It was chaos downtown. You had literally thousands of people downtown for Zombicon. Everybody was masked up. They had the fake blood on and you had a mass shooting. People were just going in every which direction," said Routte.
"It was clear from that very first night that it was going to take a partnership, a community partnership, to help solve this case. And that's exactly what happened," said Routte.
The shooter, Jose Bonilla, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder.
This tragic event remains a somber memory for the community, highlighting the importance of unity in the face of adversity.