Sean Archilles, 14, was a victim of the Club Blu shooting in Fort Myers, Fla. (Facebook)
Fourteen-year-old Sean Archilles is one of two victims from the Club Blu shooting in Fort Myers, Fla., which happened around 12:30 a.m. Monday. Three victims remain hospitalized after an estimated 16 were shot.
Ste’fan Strawder, 18, was identified as the other victim.
Fort Myers police are still investigating the cause of the incident, but they have ruled out terrorism.
Two suspects were detained before 5:30 a.m. on Ortiz Avenue between Luckett and Ballard roads, Fort Myers Police Department Capt. Jim Mulligan said, according to WINK. and at least three people are currently in custody, police later confirmed with the TV station.
Here is what you need to know about Achilles:
1. At 14, Achilles Is the Youngest Victim of the Club Blu Shooting
(Twitter)
Although three people are currently hospitalized, and some victims are at least 12 years old, Archilles is one of two victims who have died as the result of the gunfire at Club Blu. Archilles, who celebrated his birthday on March 28, was 14.
Club Blu is a “restaurant and lounge” which has held teen parties in the past.
A Club Blu promotional poster for teens. (Facebook)
“As the club was closing and parents were picking their children up…..that’s when all this took place. There was nothing more we could of done as you see it was not kids at the party that did this despicable act. Our condolences to all parties involved,” the club wrote in a statement on Facebook.
“We did everything we could to make sure these kids were safe,” Club Blu co-owner Cheryl Filardi said, according to USA Today. “There was nothing we could do … a car rolled up and just started shooting.”
2. Archilles Was Involved in ‘The Bridge’ & Its After-School Programs
The Bridge Youth Center, a nonprofit, faith-based community center that assists at-risk youth ages 11-18 with daily programs, assistance and support, appears to be a part of Archilles’ life. With its free after-school programs in sports, academics, job placement and mentoring, according to its Christian Volunteering profile, Archilles graduated from its children center to the Youth Ministry, according to a Facebook post.
The nonprofit organizes basketball, flag football and other activities and events.
The Bridge hosts flag football in Fort Myers, Florida. (Facebook)
3. Archilles Loved Basketball
The Bridge basketball. (Facebook)
Archilles’ father, Jean Robert Archilles, told the News-Press his son loved basketball.
The other victim in the shooting, Ste’fan Strawder, 18, was a standout high school basketball player for Lehigh Senior High School.
Jean Robert Archilles also told the News-Times the cops called him to say “Sorry to hear that your son passed away,” the News-Times reported.
4. Police Say the Shooting Was not Terrorism
Police almost immediately ruled out terrorism as a cause for the shooting at the teen night club. In a statement, the Fort Myers department said it “would like to confirm that this incident is not an act of terror.”
The investigation, however, is still active as a crime scene, police said.
5. This Is the 2nd Mass Nightclub Shooting in Florida Recently
Mourners gather outside the Stonewall Inn to pay tribute to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. (Getty)
The Club Blu shooting, although still under investigation, is the second mass shooting at a nightclub in Florida in recent weeks.
Last month, Omar Mateen open fired at a gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 and wounding 53. It was considered a hate crime and an act of terror.
