>> THE HOUSE SAYS THE HOSPITAL IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2028. >> WE JUST GOT THESE NEW PICTURES OF THE MOMENTS. A MAN WAS ACCUSED OF POINTING A GUN AT AN FWC OFFICER WHO WAS RESPONDING TO A CALL IN CAPE CORAL. FWC SAYS JOHN COURT TO PELLA. WAS TRYING TO BARRY ALLEN THIS IN HIS BACKYARD. THAT’S A BIG NO-NO. THEN HE PULLED OUT A GUN WHEN THE FWC OFFICER TRIED TO TALK TO HIM. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER MOHAMMED ABDUL CALL. WE HAS MORE ON THE STANDOFF. WE ALL STOP AND TAKE A PICTURE OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE BIRDS, YOU KNOW. BUT, YOU KNOW, NOT LIKE YOU’RE GOING UP TO HIS DOOR. SOMETHING ONE SAYS SHE AND OTHER NEIGHBORS CONSIDER THIS HOME ON SOUTHWEST. 26 AVENUE, A POPULAR SPOT FOR PEOPLE WANT SEE BURROWING OWLS. >> SHE KNOWS IS ILLEGAL TO TOUCH FEED OR DISTURB THEM, ESPECIALLY DURING NESTING SEASON. EVERYBODY WAS AWARE THAT THE HIT FILL THE HOLE AND THE PEOPLE WERE OUT THAT NIGHT WHEN WE WALK IN AND THEY WERE UPSET TO WILDLIFE OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE HOME ON FRIDAY AFTER THEY GOT A REPORT OF AN S BEING FILLED WHEN AN OFFICER ARRIVED TO CONTACT THE HOMEOWNER JOHN QUARTER PELLA, THEY SAY HE POINTED THE GUN AT THE OFFICER AND THEN WENT INSIDE HIS ACTION CARS, CAKE OR POLICE IN FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL TO RESPOND AS WELL. A NEIGHBOR SHARED THIS PICTURE WITH US SHOWING AN OFFICER PUTTING A RIFLE DURING THE STANDOFF THAT SOMEONE HAS A GUN. THAT’S WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN. FWC SAYS THE MAN EVENTUALLY SURRENDERED AND WAS ARRESTED WITH THE CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON AND WHERE HE’S COMING HIS 87. >> WAS MUHAMMAD ABDUL COLI REPORTING QUARTER PELLA BONDED OUT OF JAIL ON SATURDAY. WE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TODAY
Neighbors recall moments before man accused of drawing gun on FWC officer after wildlife complaint
Updated: 8:54 PM EDT Mar 9, 2026
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers responded to a Cape Coral home on Friday after receiving a report that the homeowner had filled in a burrowing owl nest, leading to an incident where the suspect was accused of pointing a gun at the officer.Betty Swanton, a Cape Coral resident, said, “We all stop and take a picture of the, you know, the birds, you know, but, you know, it’s not like you’re going up to his door or something.”Swanton noted that the home on Southwest 26th Avenue is a popular spot for people wanting to see burrowing owls, and she emphasized the legal protections for these birds, especially during nesting season.”Everybody was aware that he had filled the hole in the people were out that night when we were walking, and they were upset, too,” Swanton said.The incident prompted a response from Cape Coral police and the Florida Highway Patrol. A neighbor shared a picture showing an officer pointing a rifle during the standoff.”If someone has a gun, that’s what’s going to happen,” Swanton said.FWC reported that John Quartapella eventually surrendered and was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Sheila McCarthy, another Cape Coral resident, said, “You don’t know what’s going on in his mind. Yeah. Where he’s coming from. He’s 87.”Quartapella bonded out of the Lee County Jail on Saturday. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, as no one answered the door at his home.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers responded to a Cape Coral home on Friday after receiving a report that the homeowner had filled in a burrowing owl nest, leading to an incident where the suspect was accused of pointing a gun at the officer.
Betty Swanton, a Cape Coral resident, said, “We all stop and take a picture of the, you know, the birds, you know, but, you know, it’s not like you’re going up to his door or something.”
Swanton noted that the home on Southwest 26th Avenue is a popular spot for people wanting to see burrowing owls, and she emphasized the legal protections for these birds, especially during nesting season.
“Everybody was aware that he had filled the hole in the people were out that night when we were walking, and they were upset, too,” Swanton said.
The incident prompted a response from Cape Coral police and the Florida Highway Patrol. A neighbor shared a picture showing an officer pointing a rifle during the standoff.
“If someone has a gun, that’s what’s going to happen,” Swanton said.
FWC reported that John Quartapella eventually surrendered and was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
Sheila McCarthy, another Cape Coral resident, said, “You don’t know what’s going on in his mind. Yeah. Where he’s coming from. He’s 87.”
Quartapella bonded out of the Lee County Jail on Saturday. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, as no one answered the door at his home.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.