CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. – A Florida deputy was shot and killed Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop in Charlotte Harbor. The suspect was later found and fatally shot by law enforcement personnel, according to authorities.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell provided brief details during a Sunday evening press conference. He said shortly after 3 p.m., Deputy Cpl. Elio Diaz conducted a traffic stop on a white pickup truck at a Chevron gas station at 4968 Tamiami Trail, across from Sunseeker Resort, NBC 2 reported.
During the stop, the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Andrew Mostyn Jr., pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz. The deputy was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died, the sheriff confirmed.
After the deputy was gunned down, Mostyn fled the scene. As a result, a massive manhunt took place. The gunman was later found at a Popeyes on King’s Highway in Punta Gorda.
When deputies approached Mostyn, he went to grab his rifle again, which resulted in a deputy-involved shooting, according to the sheriff.
Mostyn sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died after being flown to an area hospital, Fox News reported.
Prummell was overcome with grief as he spoke to reporters Sunday evening.
“I want you guys to please keep Elio and his family in your thoughts and prayers, especially this time of year,” the sheriff said, fighting back emotion. “Elio was a friend, a good family man. He loved his children. And he was a really great cop. He’s gonna be missed.”
