Man Arrested With Loaded Gun While Drunk in Fort Myers
Fort Myers police arrested John Leiva, 23, after officers found him stumbling downtown holding a loaded gun.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Fort Myers Police arrested John Leiva on Saturday in downtown Fort Myers after officers responded to Main Street and Hendry Street at around 4:16 a.m. Officers said Leiva was holding a loaded gun while stumbling on the sidewalk and smelled strongly of alcohol.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights the danger posed when an intoxicated individual carries a loaded firearm in a public area. Police responses to armed individuals in downtown areas can quickly escalate, making the outcome of such encounters a matter of local public safety.
Leiva, 23, was arrested and the loaded gun was removed from his possession, though the source does not specify formal charges or court dates. Officers' account of Leiva's intoxication and his denial of firing the weapon remain part of the record, and the case's legal outcome has not been reported.
The players
Fort Myers Police Department
The municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of Fort Myers, Florida, responsible for the arrest.
John Leiva
The 23-year-old man arrested after officers found him carrying a loaded gun while intoxicated in downtown Fort Myers.
The details
Officers located Leiva walking northbound on the sidewalk on Hendry Street, where he was holding a gun in his right hand. After officers drew their weapons and ordered him to drop it, Leiva placed the gun in his right pocket and raised his hands to his head before being placed in restraints.
Timeline
Saturday, November 1, 2026: Police responded to Main Street and Hendry Street at around 4:16 a.m. and arrested Leiva.
Legal Context
Florida law restricts carrying firearms while under the influence of alcohol, a provision that police routinely enforce when an intoxicated person is found armed in public. Cases like this one fall within that framework, where officers' observations of intoxication and firearm possession drive the legal response.
Downtown Fort Myers residents and visitors may see continued police presence as officers respond to reports of armed individuals in the area. Anyone who witnesses a person carrying a firearm while appearing intoxicated should contact police immediately rather than approaching them.
The takeaway
Carrying a firearm while intoxicated is a serious offense that can turn a routine encounter into a dangerous standoff. Reporting a visibly armed or impaired person to police is the safest way for bystanders to help.
Further reading
For more local coverage of police activity, see Law Enforcement reporting in Fort Myers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBBH.
