Police join investigation into Mariner football incident in Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — The investigation into an incident involving the Mariner High School football program is expanding, with both the Lee County School District and Cape Coral Police now investigating what happened during a football team-building event.

The Lee County School District confirmed head football coach Tyran Jones has been placed on administrative leave while the superintendent and district administration investigate the incident.

The district has not released details about what happened, describing it only as an incident that occurred during a football team-building event.

Cape Coral Police also confirmed to WINK News that an incident related to the matter was reported and remains under investigation.

WINK News spoke with a family member of one of the students involved, who requested anonymity because they fear retaliation against the student.

The family member said the student attended an overnight football team-building event, where they allege members of the football team sprayed the student with what the family believes was a substance containing urine. The family member also said the student has since transferred to another school.

The district has not confirmed those allegations.

WINK News asked the school district to respond. District spokesperson Rob Spicker said school administrators plan to address the football team before releasing additional public information. He shared in an email that families deserve to hear it first from school administrators. 

 “We will address the situation with the team tomorrow when they return to practice….Once we have advised the team and their parents, we will release a statement,” Spicker told WINK News in an email. 

School board members did not comment on the situation at Monday's meeting. The school district says it plans to release more information Tuesday afternoon once administrators have had a chance to brief the team about what happens next.

School Board Chair Armor Persons also addressed the investigation in a social media post.

 “Student safety is, and always will be, my highest priority. If district policies were violated or students were placed at risk, I fully expect appropriate accountability and corrective action, Persons commented on Facebook. 

Persons also said the School Board does not conduct personnel investigations or direct operational decisions, which are handled by the superintendent and district administration.

Some community members say they are waiting for investigators to determine exactly what happened before drawing conclusions.

“I think it should be investigated and then a decision should be made. I think all the facts aren’t there,” neighbor Daniel Hoskisson said. 

Hoskisson said if the investigation determines players were responsible for the alleged conduct, they should be held accountable.

 “If it wasn’t him who did it, it was his players. I think his players should be suspended for what they did,” Hoskisson said.  

The Lee County School District has not said who may have been involved in the incident or whether additional disciplinary action could be taken. Cape Coral Police have also not released further details as their investigation continues.

WINK News will continue following both investigations and provide updates as more information becomes available.