The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office held a news conference, providing updates on their search of Matthew Ryan Cross.
Watch above.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK)—Two people are dead, including an armed man at the center of a manhunt in Port Charlotte that spanned several neighborhoods.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell detailed how the incident unfolded during a press conference. The suspect, 32-year-old Matthew Cross, was shot and killed by law enforcement.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said the first person shot and killed was on Malone Avenue around 12:30 p.m. The victim died at the scene.
Cross left the area, and deputies began searching for him. About an hour later, nearly 15 minutes up the road, deputies patrolling near homeless camps on bikes off Kenilworth Boulevard heard reports of someone shooting in the woods.
Deputies said that was Cross. Just a few blocks down the street, the sheriff said Cross came out of the woods.
He pointed a gun at his head, then pointed it at Charlotte County deputies and a North Port police officer assisting. The sheriff said both agencies reacted.
"He put a gun to his head and then proceeded to point it in the direction of law enforcement," Prummell said. "At that time, seven members, five North Port police officers and two sheriff's deputies fired shots at him, and he was shot and killed there."
Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Neighbor Michael Zezula said he was shocked by what unfolded in his neighborhood.
"Next thing you know, the whole street's blocked off on this street," Zezula said. "My neighbor came across the street, which was across the street, says, 'yeah, there's a killer on the loose."
Neighbors say the area is usually quiet.
"It's usually a very peaceful neighborhood, and then to have something like that happen is a little shocking," said Zezula. "I got a nine-year-old daughter. She's freaking out. She's wondering if the guy's going to come after her. It's like, 'No, you're okay.'"
All three scenes remained active with tape still up and investigators still working. Sheriff Prummell said the names of the deputies involved will be given in their next updates.
Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Several Charlotte County schools were under lockdown while law enforcement conducted their active search. At 3:30 p.m., the lockdowns were lifted and dismissal will now proceed as normal.
According to the sheriff's office, there is no longer a threat in the area of Kenilworth Blvd. Schools have been released from lockdown. There is still an active, contained scene in this area.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) — The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for a possibly armed suspect in the Port Charlotte area.
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