Cape Coral man killed in officer-involved shooting was holding Airsoft pistol, police say

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The man who was shot and later died after a confrontation with Cape Coral police Wednesday was holding a CO2 Airsoft pistol when officers opened fire, according to a new update from the Cape Coral Police Department.

Cape Coral police identified the man as 43-year-old Daniel Eric Colon.

The new information comes as investigators continue looking into the officer-involved shooting near NE 15th Place and NE 9th Terrace.

According to CCPD, multiple 911 calls initially reported that Colon had a gun and a knife and had forcibly kicked in the front door of a relative's home in the 1400 block of NE 10th Terrace.

Police said Colon was later seen leaving the area on foot with what appeared to be a gun in his hand.

Officers and Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies searched for Colon in the area, eventually focusing on a dumpster enclosure behind City Mattress at 915 NE 15th Place.

During the search, CCPD said Colon emerged from bushes near the dumpster and pointed a black handgun directly at officers and deputies. Two Cape Coral officers fired their service weapons, striking him.

Colon was detained and given emergency medical care before being taken to the hospital, where he later died.

In Thursday's update, CCPD said the investigation determined Colon had a CO2 Airsoft pistol. The department released a photo of the weapons it said Colon had, along with still images from two officers' body-worn cameras.

CCPD said the body-camera stills show Colon pointing the weapon directly at officers in the moments before the shooting.

The department did not say officers knew the weapon was an Airsoft pistol before they fired.

No law enforcement personnel were injured in the shooting.

The two officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which CCPD said is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting.

The investigation remains ongoing.