Victim identified in deadly Port Charlotte shooting

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WINK) — The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says its death investigation remains active along Malone Avenue, where a shooting sparked a chain of events that ended with two people dead.

Deputies say the investigation began Monday afternoon when they responded to a report of a person shot on Malone Avenue. That victim, Charles Anderson died at the scene.

Investigators say the suspect, 32-year-old Matthew Ryan Cross, fled the area, triggering a multi-agency search across Port Charlotte that later ended in a deadly confrontation with law enforcement.

WINK News spoke with Cross’ family, who say they are grieving and not ready to go on camera, but described him as someone who struggled with mental health and addiction. His parents said Cross had recently been in a crisis unit, followed by rehab and a sober living program and that they had been trying to get in touch with him before the incident.

Neighbors along Malone Avenue say the quiet neighborhood quickly turned into an active crime scene, with deputies flooding the area and blocking off streets.

Jack Bart, who lives nearby, described the moment he realized something was wrong. “When I looked out the window… there was a police officer with a rifle pointed that way… I thought, you know, this is not just routine.”

North Port Police Department confirmed its officers were involved in the final confrontation with Cross. The department says no officers were injured. All officers who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol during an active investigation.

Officials also say body camera footage will not be released at this time, as the investigation is ongoing and led by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

WINK News reached out to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for more details regarding the investigation. Their team said they do not expect an update this evening.