A deputy in south Florida was killed in the line of duty on Sunday afternoon, leaving the community in mourning.
Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was fatally shot during a traffic stop at a Chevron gas station in Charlotte Harbor, according to Sheriff Bill Prummell in a news conference.
Details are limited, but Prummell stated that Diaz was conducting a stop on a white pickup truck when the incident occurred.
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Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed Sunday afternoon while conducting a traffic stop. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Andrew Mostyn Jr., fatally shot Diaz with a rifle during the stop, according to the sheriff. Diaz was taken to a nearby hospital, where he passed away.
Mostyn fled the scene, leading to a large manhunt, and was later discovered at a Popeyes in Punta Gorda on King’s Highway.
When deputies approached him, Mostyn reached for his rifle again, resulting in a deputy shooting him in the head. Mostyn died after being airlifted to a hospital.
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Prummell was visibly emotional when announcing the deputy’s death to local media on Sunday night.
“[He] was a friend. A good family man. He loved his children and he was a really great cop. He’s going to be missed,” the sheriff said tearfully.
Cpl. Elio Diaz was an 11-year veteran of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
State leaders also expressed their condolences for Diaz’s death and offered prayers for the agency and the deputy’s family.
“Heartbreaking news tonight. A Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputy lost his life,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody wrote on X. “Please keep the CCSO, @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell and this hero’s family in your prayers. It’s going to be a very difficult holiday season for so many mourning this tragic loss.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also posted to X, writing that he was “devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight.”
“I spoke with @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell to 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.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was among state leaders who offered condolences to the loved ones of Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz, who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Diaz had been a member of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office since 2013 and was recognized as the department’s law enforcement member of the first quarter in November 2023, as reported by FOX 4 Now.
