Following the tragic killing of Charlotte County Sgt. Elio Diaz, Sheriff Bill Prummell released a statement to the community.
Sgt. Diaz was shot and killed in December during a traffic stop outside a Chevron gas station off U.S. Route 41.
The tragic event unfolded when the suspect, Andrew Mostyn Jr., 24, allegedly pulled a rifle and fired at Diaz. Diaz later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
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.
Sheriff Prummell shared a heartfelt message addressed to the community on the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office's Facebook .
The statement reads as follows:
“I want to personally thank all of you, our community and our brothers and sisters in law enforcement, for your incredible support of the Diaz family following Elio’s death in December. Everywhere I go, I see collections being done, fundraising events being promoted, and more importantly, a sign of togetherness that his family – both blood and blue – needs more than ever.
Thank you for being there for his loved ones and for us here at CCSO. I promise that we will never forget Elio - just as we have not forgotten Curtis, Mike, or Chris - for their service to Charlotte County, and I know that you won’t either. It’s what makes serving in this community so special.
God Bless all of you! Be Strong, Be Safe, and Never Quit!
- Sheriff Bill Prummell"
The community rallied to honor Diaz with memorials and even collected donations to help support his family in the aftermath of the incident.
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