A Charlotte County deputy was killed in the line of duty Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop in Charlotte Harbor. The suspect was later found and shot dead by law enforcement.
According to Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, shortly after 3 p.m., Charlotte County Deputy Cpl. Elio Diaz pulled over a white pickup truck for a traffic stop at a Chevron gas station at 4968 Tamiami Trail, across from Sunseeker Resort.
During the stop, Prummell said Andrew Mostyn Jr., 24, pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz.
Diaz was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
After a manhunt for Mostyn was underway, deputies found him and his pickup truck at a Popeyes restaurant on Kings Highway near I-75.
As deputies approached the suspect's pickup, they say he reached for a rifle, and a deputy opened fire with a shot to the head.
Mostyn was flown to the hospital, where he also died from his injuries.
Prummell said during a news conference late Sunday night, "I want you guys to please keep Elio and his family in your thoughts and prayers, especially this time of year.
"Elio was a fried'" Prummell said emotionally, "A good family man. He loved his children. And he was a really great cop. He's gonna be missed."
A significant law enforcement presence remained into the evening at the two locations while detectives collected evidence.
Nicole Zielinski of Port Charlotte said she was driving to dinner when she saw the scene unfolding.
Zielinski said, "Obviously, I want to see what the commotion is about when I heard it's about a police officer dying. And that's not good to hear. It's sad."
The northbound lanes of US-41 on the Barrol Collier Bridge were shot down for several hours, into the evening. All lanes have since reopened.
The photo above shows the pickup truck in the shooting parked in the Popeyes parking lot.
At 7:41 p.m. Sunday night, Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell posted an image of a CCSO badge with the black mourning band on Facebook .
Multiple state officials have also weighed in. Sen. Rick Scott said in a post on X , " Devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight. I spoke with @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell to let him know Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputy’s family tonight. Please keep them in your prayers. "
State CFO Jimmy Petronis said in a
post on X
, "
Tragic reports out of Charlotte County tonight of an officer-involved shooting. As details unfold, please keep all of our first responders in your prayers. May God Bless these heroes.
"
Additionally, Congressman Greg Stube, who represents the district, said in a post also on X , " My office is closely monitoring the reports of multiple shootings, including a potential officer-involved shooting in Charlotte County near the Sunseeker this evening. Please avoid the area to allow Charlotte County Sheriffs Office and Punta Gorda Police investigate. My prayers are with all of those involved in responding. God bless our law enforcement officers. "
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