Teen accused of attempted murder, arson of Lehigh Acres home

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a teenager accused of intentionally igniting a propane tank at an occupied Lehigh Acres home.

Deputies arrested the teenager on Saturday after receiving a report of a residential fire on Paisley Avenue at around 6 a.m.

Upon arrival, deputies located an open 5-gallon propane tank near the front door of the residence, along with a homemade Molotov cocktail.

Further inspection revealed that four people were inside the home sleeping at the time the fire was reported. The home’s occupants were able to escape through a window uninjured.

Multiple witnesses reported that the teenage suspect was parked down the street and briefly made contact with the victims, asking what had happened before leaving the area.

The teen was located and arrested at their home. Deputies reported that the suspect admitted to transporting the propane tank, using a gas-filled bottle to ignite the fire, and attempting to kill an occupant inside the home. 

Further interviewing with the suspect found that they had a prior history with one of the victims, where deputies say the relationship had deteriorated.

The teenager was charged with four counts of attempted felony murder, arson, occupied burglary, making a destructive device, and possession or use of a weapon. 

Lee County deputies reported that the teen had been released to the Department of Juvenile Justice for secure detention.