Dakota Fields, 24, of Fort Myers, Florida, died after being shot on January 5, 2015, following an altercation at a Waffle House on Boatways Road. According to reports, Fields and friends were intoxicated and verbally confronted 28-year-old Jehrardd Williams, who was legally carrying a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson pistol. Fields reportedly used racial slurs and behaved aggressively; employees asked him to leave.

After leaving, Fields removed his shirt as if preparing for a fight. A friend, Robert Black, approached Williams to apologize; when Williams refused to shake hands, Black struck Williams. Williams drew his firearm, initially did not fire at Black, but shot Fields three times when Fields re-entered the restaurant and charged him. Fields and his companions crashed their SUV at the foot of the Edison Bridge about six miles away while trying to reach a hospital; Fields died of his gunshot wounds.

Williams called 911 immediately, placed his handgun on the counter, and waited for law enforcement. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office reviewed the evidence and concluded Williams acted in self-defense; no charges were filed. Does anyone have information about witnesses or the events inside the restaurant that night?