A Charlotte County deputy lost his life in the line of duty on Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop in Charlotte Harbor, an incident that also resulted in the suspect’s death following a manhunt.
The tragedy unfolded shortly after 3 p.m. when Cpl. Elio Diaz of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a white pickup truck at a Chevron gas station on Tamiami Trail, near the Sunseeker Resort. According to Sheriff Bill Prummell, the driver, 24-year-old Andrew Mostyn Jr., pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz during the stop.
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Cpl. Diaz was rushed to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, a large-scale manhunt was launched to locate Mostyn. Deputies tracked him and his pickup truck to a Popeyes restaurant on Kings Highway near I-75. As law enforcement approached the vehicle, Mostyn allegedly reached for a rifle, prompting a deputy to fire a fatal shot to the head.
Mostyn was airlifted to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
In a press conference Sunday night, a visibly emotional Sheriff Prummell described Cpl. Diaz as a dedicated officer, family man, and friend.
“Elio was a friend, a good family man. He loved his children. And he was a really great cop,” Prummell said. “He’s going to be missed. Please keep Elio and his family in your thoughts and prayers, especially at this time of year.”
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Law enforcement continues to investigate both the initial shooting at the gas station and the subsequent incident at Popeyes. Detectives remained at both locations into Sunday evening to collect evidence and determine why Mostyn opened fire on Diaz.
“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.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Petronis stated, “Tragic reports out of Charlotte County tonight of an officer-involved shooting. Please keep all of our first responders in your prayers.”
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