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Cape police seek gunman in fatal shooting

3 min read

Update:

Cape Coral Police detectives are actively investigating the shooting death of TJ Maxx store manager Alfred E. Griffiths last evening in front of the store located at the Del Prado Mall.

As part of the investigation, it is important that detectives speak with everyone who was at or in the area of TJ Maxx, Planet Fitness or Ariani’s restaurant on Nov. 18 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

“We know there are customers who were in and around the store at the time of the shooting that we have not made contact with yet. Many left prior to police arrival,” Sgt. Bennett Walker, of the Cape Coral Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, said. “We would like to speak with everyone who was in or near the stores between 6 and 9:30 p.m. People may have information that is helpful to the investigation and not realize it.”

The Cape Coral Police Department is asking for your assistance if you were at any of these businesses last night between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Please contact detectives with the Investigative Services Bureau at (239) 574-0639.

Original press release:

Cape Coral police have released the name of a man shot in the parking lot of a Del Prado shopping center Tuesday night.

Alfred E. Griffiths, 54, of Cape Coral, was critically injured shortly before 9 a.m. outside the T.J. Maxx at 1502 Del Prado Boulevard S.

Griffiths, a manager at the store, was pronounced dead at a local hospital before midnight.

Police say officers in the area heard what sounded like gunshots at around 8:55 p.m. They responded to the center where they found Griffiths “with a life-threatening gunshot wound.” He was taken to the hospital where died from his injuries.

Meanwhile, “Cape Coral Police Patrol Officers quickly secured the crime scene and established a perimeter,” a release from the agency states. “Initial information indicated that the suspect, a white male wearing a long-sleeve fleece shirt or jacket, fled the scene on foot, southbound from TJ Maxx.”

Cape Coral Police K9 and LCSO Aviation were called in to help locate the gunman, who, as of Wednesday morning, was still on the loose.

Cape Coral Police detectives and Forensics are continuing their investigation officials said, adding “detectives are aggressively working leads in this case.”

Officials ask anyone who has any information on the identity of the suspect to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223.

Anonymous tips may also be submitted. Go to www.capecops.com/tips or text a tip- text CCPD+”Your Message” to CRIMES (274637); or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.

Source: Cape Coral Police Department