Jaws of death! Hungry alligator snags turtle at Estero golf course for amazing photo opportunity

State Attorney's Office clears Lee deputy who shot man who pointed gun

Trey Steven Chenault

A Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy who shot a Fort Myers man who pointed a gun at him during an incident in a wooded area in Estero last year was cleared of any wrongdoing, the State Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Deputy Lt. James Heuglin was legally justified in using "deadly force" in the "defense of himself or others," State Attorney Stephen B. Russell wrote in a letter addressed to Lee Sheriff Mike Scott.

"Therefore, my office will not be filing any criminal charges in this matter," Russell wrote.

On Nov. 30, Heuglin shot Trey Chenault, 27, when Chenault "pointed a firearm toward him" and other task force members who were looking to arrest him on a warrant, according to a memo dated Aug. 8 from the State Attorney's Office.

The shooting happened in an area off Via Coconut Point Road, near the Coconut Point shopping mall, and shut down parts of the road that day.

More:Officer-involved shooting reported in Estero

Chenault was wanted on suspicion of battery on a law enforcement officer. He suffered "multiple gunshot wounds" and survived, the memo states.

Before members of the task force, which included U.S. marshals, entered the wooded area to arrest Chenault, they were told he might be armed and had made recent statements he wasn't going to go back to jail and that he was "going out suicide by cop," according to the memo.

When authorities entered the woods and came upon a camp site, Chenault emerged from a small tent and fled on foot, the memo states.

Heuglin, who was a short distance away, heard a task force member yell that Chenault was running toward railroad tracks, according to the memo. Another task force member yelled, "Drop the gun," the memo states.

When Heuglin made contact with Chenault, he observed Chenault holding a pink gun to his own head, while a K-9 unit "engaged one of his legs," according to the memo.

Heuglin, who was about 10 to 12 yards from Chenault, heard him yell "he was not going back to jail and that he's doing to die," the memo states. Chenault refused to drop the gun, according to the memo.

Then Chenault pointed the gun toward Heuglin and other task force members, the memo states.

"Fearing for his own safety and the safety of the others," Heuglin fired three times at Chenault "to stop the threat," according to the memo.

Chenault fell to the ground "but held the gun in his hand until it was kicked away" by Heuglin, the memo states.

Chenault suffered one gunshot wound to the left side of the neck, one to the lower abdomen and one to his leg. He was treated by Lee County EMS and taken to Lee Memorial Hospital.

Chenault has not been formally charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer or any other crime, according to the memo.

"He continues to remain in the hospital as a result of his injuries," the memo states.

More:LCSO: Man wounded in officer-related shooting was armed