We checked in with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department to get an update on whether an arrest has been made in the killing of 22-year old Johnny Jackson four months ago at the Lani Kai. The response we received was it’s still an “active investigation.”Â
Meanwhile two lawsuits against the hotel are ongoing in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Lee County.
Both lawsuits are a result of the murder that took place on the property.
The lawsuits were filed by Thomasina Daniels, Johnny Jackson’s mother, and Jackson’s cousin Traviasia Blanks. Blanks was wounded by a gunshot in the incident.
The Thomasina Daniels lawsuit claims wrongful death. The Traviasia Blanks lawsuit is a personal injury action.
A hearing in the Daniels case has been set for December 7th at 1:30 in which the judge will consider the Lani Kai’s motion to dismiss that case.
Both sides have been trading court filings in the Blanks case. In one filing from October, several questions Blanks posed to the Lani Kai went unanswered. Here are several examples from that filing:
Blanks: Prior to July 15, 2020, the Defendant had knowledge of prior shootings that had occurred on and/or around the subject premises during the five years prior to July 15, 2020
Lani Kai: Defendant can neither admit or deny the subject request as the investigation into Plaintiff’s allegations is ongoing.
Blanks: At the time of the shooting on July 15, 2020, the Defendant did not have any security guards on duty on the subject premises.
Lani Kai: Defendant can neither admit or deny the subject request as the investigation into Plaintiff’s allegations is ongoing.
Blanks: During the five years to July 15, 2020, the Defendant requested a security analysis of the subject premises known as the Lani Kai
Lani Kai: Defendant objects to the subject request as the term “security analysis” is vague.
The final court document filed in the Blanks lawsuit was on October 14th which asked the for a 30 day extension. No further information was made available in court documents on this case.
As a result of the murder the town of Fort Myers Beach approved an ordinance to create a Nuisance Abatement Board to help the town council deal with violent crime in the community. The town is still fielding members for the board. The town does not have its own police department. Fort Myers Beach is covered by the Lee County Sheriff.
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