(April 21, 2025) — On April 20, 2025, at around 8:40 PM, officers with the Cape Coral Police Department were dispatched to a home in Northwest Cape Coral, Florida, in reference to a disturbance with weapons.
Call notes indicated an incident related to domestic violence in which a man had been drinking and was armed with a knife, making threats. The man then fled the scene on his ATV toward Santa Barbara Blvd North. He was described as a white male wearing shorts and no shirt, operating a red Yamaha ATV. The man was later identified as Damion Scott Stafford (DOB 11/02/80).
Officers established a perimeter near Wilmington Pkwy and Nelson Rd North. Shortly after, an officer saw a man matching Stafford’s description on a red ATV with no lights on. The officer activated overhead emergency lights in their fully marked vehicle and got behind the ATV. Stafford was shirtless with tattoos, wearing jean shorts. He did not stop and was actively fleeing to elude apprehension.
Officers at the initial scene at the home in Northwest Cape Coral developed probable cause to arrest Stafford for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The officer following Stafford continued to pursue the ATV with lights and sirens activated. Stafford made no attempts to stop and would look back at the officer and throw his hands up in the gesture of a firearm. The investigation at the initial scene indicated Stafford was still armed with a knife. The officer observed Stafford reach into his left pocket and remove a large blade, which fell onto the roadway. Officers later found the 12-inch fixed-blade knife in the 2700 block of Nelson Rd North.
The pursuit lasted about 25 minutes, reaching speeds over 80 miles per hour, and went on for approximately 30 miles. Stafford drove recklessly through residential areas and main roadways. He operated his ATV (an off-road vehicle) on public roadways and residential areas, displaying willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
The pursuit spanned westbound on Wilmington Pkwy to north on Chiquita Blvd North. Stafford reached the end of the roadway, which becomes a left turn onto Jacaranda Pkwy West. He failed to negotiate the turn and proceeded north through the turn, hitting an embankment. He was ejected from the ATV.
Officers approached Stafford and gave verbal commands to show his hands, to no avail; he did not respond to commands. A K9 Officer deployed his K9, which resulted in a bite to Stafford’s left leg. Stafford then complied and was handcuffed. He received immediate medical attention for his injuries from the crash and bite. Officers could see his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from his breath.
Stafford was medically cleared at Gulf Coast Medical Center. His BAC was .200. He was taken to the Lee County Jail on the following charges:
–2 counts in violation of F.S.S 784.021(1)(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon without the Intent to Kill
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.1935(3)(a) – Aggravated Fleeing and EludingÂ
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.192(1)(a) – Reckless DrivingÂ
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.193(1)(a) – Driving Under the Influence
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 790.23(1)(a) – Convicted Felon in Possession of Concealed Weapon
Arrested: Damion Scott Stafford (DOB 11/02/80)