A Lehigh Acres man accused of fatally shooting his brother outside a Mexican restaurant in Fort Myers was remanded Monday into custody without bond on the murder charge.
Steve Iglesia, 25, faces charges of second-degree murder and battery in the New Year’s Day shooting death of his brother Christopher Iglesia, 24.
Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning on Monday ruled that Steve Iglesia, who is represented by public defender Nicole Hunter, will be held without bond on the second-degree murder charge and $2,500 bond on the battery charge.
Assistant State Attorneys Hamid Hunter and Andreas Gardiner are prosecuting the case.
Assistant State Attorney Hamid Hunter filed the motion for a pretrial detention hearing Thursday, hours after Iglesia was booked into the Lee County Jail. Iglesia was taken into custody just before 7:45 a.m. Thursday.
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According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, around 8 p.m. Wednesday, sheriff’s deputies responded to the parking lot of Casa Blanca Modern Mexican Tequila Bar, 9510 Marketplace Road, after reports of a shooting.
When they arrived, sheriff’s deputies found a deceased man with gunshot wounds on the ground. The sheriff’s office did not disclose how many wounds the victim suffered.
The sheriff’s office said detectives learned that earlier Wednesday night, Iglesia was at the restaurant with family and friends when a verbal argument ensued, continuing into the parking lot of the establishment, and quickly turned physical.
During the altercation, Iglesia brandished a handgun and shot the relative, authorities said.
Owner Pedro Aguirre opened the modern Mexican restaurant Aug. 7, 2023, in the area of Interstate 75 and Daniels Parkway.
Iglesia’s arraignment is set Feb. 3.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lehigh Acres man held without bond in shooting death of brother