Florida sheriff mourns ‘really great’ deputy killed during traffic stop; suspect later killed

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A south Florida community is mourning the loss of a deputy who was killed in the line of duty Sunday afternoon.

Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Bill Prummell said in an evening news conference.

Limited details were available, but Prummell said Diaz was making a stop on a white pickup truck at a Chevron gas station across from the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor.

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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)

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 transported to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Mostyn fled the scene, prompting a massive manhunt, and was later found at a Popeyes on King’s Highway in Punta Gorda. 

When deputies approached him, Prummell said he went to grab his rifle again, which resulted in a deputy shooting him in the head. Mostyn died after being flown to an area hospital.

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Prummell was visibly upset when confirming the deputy’s death to local reporters 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 through tears.

Cpl. Elio Diaz was 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.

“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 served with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office since 2013, according to local outlet FOX 4 Now, and was chosen as the department’s law enforcement member of the first quarter in November 2023.