FORT MYERS, Fla. (Court TV/Scripps News Fort Myers) — A Florida man faces a potential life sentence after he was convicted of a mass shooting at a nightclub.
Demetrius O’Neal was one of five suspects charged in the killing of two teenagers and injuring 14 people in a July 2016 shooting at Club Blu. O’Neal, along with Derrick Church, each faced two counts of second-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder for their alleged role in the shooting.
On Oct. 31, the jury convicted O’Neal on all charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8, 2025.
The five suspects accused in the July 2016 fatal mass shooting at Club Blu. (Scripps News Fort Myers)
Kierra Russ was convicted in 2022 of two counts of second-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to life in prison. In September, Tajze Battle pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and was sentenced to 23 years. Last week, Don Loggins pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and will spend 11 years in prison with time served. Church’s trial has not been scheduled, but will return to court in November for a hearing.
During Russ’ trial, prosecutors argued she tipped off O’Neal about a rival gang they were fighting with being inside the club, leading to the deadly shooting.
18-year-old Stefan Strawder and 14-year-old Sean Archilles were killed, and 14 others were injured in the shooting at Club Blu. The club was hosting a teen night when gunfire broke out, reported Scripps News Fort Myers.
