Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz shot in the line of duty; suspect also dies
A south Florida community is mourning a deputy who was killed in the line of duty Sunday afternoon.
Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Bill Plummel said at an evening news conference.
Limited details are available, but Prummel said Diaz was in a white pickup truck parked at a Chevron gas station across from the St. Mary’s Resort in Port Charlotte.
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Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Sunday afternoon. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
During the stop, the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Andrew Mostyn Jr., pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz, according to the sheriff. The deputy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.
Mostyn fled the scene, sparking a massive manhunt, and was later found at a Popeye’s store on Kings Highway in Punta Gorda.
Prummel said that when officers approached him, he again reached for the rifle and an officer shot him in the head. Mostyn died after being transported to an area hospital.
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Prummel was visibly upset after confirming the deputy’s death to local reporters Sunday night.
“[He] is a friend. A good family man. He loved his children and he was a very good police officer. We will miss him.
corporal. Elio Diaz is an 11-year veteran of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
State leaders also reacted to Diaz’s death, offering prayers and condolences to the agency and the deputy’s loved ones.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wrote on The family is praying. This is going to be a very difficult holiday.
Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott also posted on X that he was “shocked to hear the news that a Charlotte County deputy passed away tonight.”
“I spoke with @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell and let him know Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputy’s family tonight. Please keep them in your prayers,” he wrote.
State leaders including Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott offered condolences to the loved ones of Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was killed in the line of duty on Sunday. (Kevin Dickey/Getty Images)
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According to local media FOX 4 Now, Diaz has been with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office since 2013 and was selected as a law enforcement member of the department’s first season in November 2023.
