Demetrius O’Neal, convicted for the murders of two teenagers during a mass shooting at Club Blu in 2016, has been sentenced to life in prison.
On Monday, the judge overseeing O’Neal’s case stated he will serve a life in prison sentence for second-degree murder, an additional life sentence for second-degree murder, and 15 years for conspiracy to commit murder.
A jury found O’Neal guilty in October, and a judge will now determine his fate in Fort Myers.
O’Neal’s conviction represents a step toward justice for 14-year-old Sean Archilles and 18-year-old Stefan Strawder, the two teens killed during the shooting.
O’Neal was the second person involved in the incident to go on trial.
In 2022, Kierra Russ was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her role in the shooting, where she acted as a lookout and signal to other members at the club. Two men accepted plea deals, and one man is still awaiting trial.
During the trial, police described the night as “mass hysteria” as Club Blu hosted a swimsuit party for young people.
Former Fort Myers Chief of Police Derrick Diggs said it was one of the most tragic incidents in Fort Myers in the year following the shooting. O’Neal was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
A witness shared the physical injuries she endured, saying, “I had a hole in my neck and arm and a through-and-through on the left shin. A gunshot wound.”