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Lee Sheriff's Office Makes Arrest in Connection to Ft Myers Synagogue Shooting Threat

WGCU | By Andrea Perdomo
Published February 20, 2020 at 2:26 PM EST
Lee Sheriff's Office Facebook Page
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno during a press conference held at LCSO headquarters on Feb. 20, 2020

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man after investigating threats of  a mass shooting at a Fort Myers synagogue. 

Lee County  Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced Thursday his office received a tip from a concerned temple member that resulted in the arrest of 43-year-old Alfredo Sanchez, a man previously convicted of felony firearm charges in Miami-Dade county.

"Sanchez made at least one statement indicating that he had the ability and the means to carry out a shooting at the synagogue," Marceno said. 

Upon investigation, Marceno said intelligence unit detectives discovered ammunition, gun cases and gun cleaning accessories at Sanchez’s home. Further investigation uncovered a duffel bag believed to belong to Sanchez at a nearby relative’s house.

"Inside that duffle bag detectives located four firearms, including an AK47 style rifle," Marceno said. 

Sanchez has been charged with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Marceno said his office is working with federal law enforcement to see if Sanchez will face federal charges as well.
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Andrea Perdomo
Andrea Perdomo is a reporter for WGCU News. She started her career in public radio as an intern for the Miami-based NPR station, WLRN. Andrea graduated from Florida International University, where she was a contributing writer for the student-run newspaper, The Panther Press, and was also a member of the university's Society of Professional Journalists chapter.
See stories by Andrea Perdomo
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