Fort Myers, FL (August 26, 2025) — The Office of the State Attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit has announced that Rachel Reloni Robinson has been adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 40 years in state prison for her role in a violent assault and shooting that occurred in February 2024. Robinson was convicted in June 2025 following a trial in Lee County Circuit Court, where she faced charges of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Petit Theft, and Resisting a Merchant’s Efforts.
The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Marilla Shoemaker.
The crime took place on February 15, 2024, at a gas station located on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers. Officers with the Fort Myers Police Department responded to an emergency call reporting an assault and discovered a male victim lying on the ground, bleeding from a gunshot wound.
According to investigators, Robinson was found nearby, standing outside and talking on her cellphone when officers arrived. A witness immediately identified her as the shooter. During the encounter, one officer noticed the handle of a firearm protruding from Robinson’s handbag, at which point she was detained.
During the trial, prosecutors presented key evidence including surveillance footage from the gas station, which showed Robinson removing drinks from a store cooler and walking out without paying. When the victim—an employee of the gas station—attempted to stop her by retrieving the stolen drinks, Robinson became physically aggressive, striking him. As the employee attempted to defend himself and distance from the confrontation, Robinson escalated the situation by pulling out a gun and shooting him.
Remarkably, the victim survived the shooting, though he suffered significant injuries.
Robinson’s conviction and lengthy prison sentence reflect the severity of the crime and the violent escalation from a minor theft into a near-fatal shooting. Authorities emphasized that the outcome of this case was the result of coordinated efforts between law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure accountability.
For further information, contact:
Samantha Syoen, Communications
Office of the State Attorney – 20th Judicial Circuit
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