Dave Elias
•8/10/2026
An ICE arrest on Evans Avenue in Fort Myers last Friday is under scrutiny after conflicting accounts emerged between ICE's claims and video evidence from the scene. ICE agents detained Evner Fileus, a man from Haiti, during the incident. In an email, ICE stated, "During the arrest, agitators attempted to interfere on the side of the highway, creating a more dangerous situation for everyone." A reporter and photographer from Gulf Coast News were present during the arrest and recorded the events. The reporter said they arrived at 11:40 a.m. and saw ICE agents detaining Fileus. By 11:43 a.m., officers had placed him in their vehicle after removing him from the SUV he was driving. Camera angles pointing north and south show no agitators in the area. The reporter and photographer were the only individuals present, standing on the opposite sidewalk across a three-lane street, simply recording the events. ICE also stated in its email, "To de-escalate the situation and for officer safety, officers quickly took Fileus to a safe location down the street." De-escalation refers to reducing or calming a tense, dangerous, or potentially violent situation. However, the video does not depict any signs of such a situation. The only sounds captured were passing cars, and an officer was seen looking through Fileus' vehicle before leaving the scene. The abandoned SUV left in the roadway created a hazard, with multiple vehicles narrowly avoiding it. A semi-truck nearly collided with the parked car, prompting the reporter to call 911. A senior Department of Homeland Security official said that beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12, all ICE officers and agents will be required to wear body cameras. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
