A Charlotte County, Florida, Sheriff’s deputy was killed Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop. The suspect was killed by deputies at a nearby restaurant.
Florida Deputy Killed by Rifle Wielding Suspect at Traffic Stop
When deputies approached, the suspect "immediately grabbed for a rifle," at which time a deputy shot him in the head, the sheriff said. The suspect died after being flown to a hospital.
by Staff
December 16, 2024
Cpl. Elio Diaz at this year's Shop With A Cop program. It was "an event for which he eagerly signed up each year. His love for his career, the people he served, and the people he served beside was unparallelled," the sheriff's office said.
Credit:
Charlotte County SO/Facebook
1 min to read
About 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop Sunday afternoon at a Chevron gas station in Charlotte County, Sheriff Bill Prummell said during a news conference Sunday night.
During the stop, a 24-year-old man pulled out a rifle and opened fire on Diaz, according to Prummell. Diaz was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died, the News-Press reports.
Prummell said the suspect fled the scene after shooting Diaz and a manhunt ensued. He was later found "not far away" at a Popeyes restaurant in Punta Gorda.
When deputies approached him, Prummell said the suspect "immediately grabbed for a rifle," at which time a deputy shot him in the head. The suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Andrew Mostyn Jr., died after being flown to a hospital.
More Patrol
Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders
The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.
Read More →
Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals
With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.
Read More →
5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show
5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.
Read More →
5.11 Debuts New Load-Bearing Gear at SHOT Show
5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
Streamlight Launches the Rechargeable TLR-3X & Other Lights at SHOT Show
Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.
Read More →
EOTech & Fast Metal Introduce the EOTech Halen Ballistic Spectacle System
Built on the proven Halen platform, the new EOTech x Fast Metal Halen Ballistic Spectacle System is the only aluminum frame listed on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.
Read More →
2 Florida Officers Shot After Shots-Fired Call
Two officers were shot in Gainesville, Florida, by a man who police say was leaving an area where he had killed a man inside a business. The suspect exited his vehicle in what the chief termed an “ambush-style” attack.
Read More →
Mistaken Identity: Ohio Police Department Harassed After ICE OIS
An Ohio police department has received harassing phone calls and social media messages because it has an officer with the same name as the ICE officer identified in the Minneapolis, Minnesota, officer-involved shooting.
Read More →
Top 10 POLICE Videos of 2025
What were the top videos published by POLICE in 2025? Many covered tactics and officer safety, while others came from booth visits at IACP in Denver, Colorado. In case you missed these, here are the top 10 videos.
Read More →
Flock Safety and Coreforce Partner to Enhance Real-Time Awareness and Operational Efficiency for Law Enforcement
A new integration partnership will enable Flock Safety hotlist alerts and license plate recognition (LPR) searches directly in Coreforce’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) platform.
Read More →