CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is mourning a deputy who was killed in the line of duty over the weekend.

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Authorities said Deputy Corporal Elio Diaz was shot during a traffic stop in Charlotte Harbor on Sunday.

He was an 11-year veteran of the agency.

According to the sheriff’s office, Diaz attempted to pull over the suspect outside a gas station when the man behind the wheel, identified as Andrew Mostyn Jr., pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz, killing him.

Mostyn then left the scene, authorities said.

Deputies said he was found shortly after in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant.

When deputies approached him, they say Mostyn tried to grab his rifle again.

That’s when deputies say they were forced to fire at Mostyn, shooting him dead.

“Elio was a friend,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said, taking a pause as he became emotional. “He was a good family man. He loved his children, and he was a really great cop. And he’s going to be missed.”

Word of Diaz’s passing reached U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, who expressed his condolences on X, formerly Twitter.

“Devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight,” he wrote Sunday. “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.”

CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. – The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its deputies. 

It happened during a traffic stop at a gas station on Sunday. 

Authorities say Corporal Elio Diaz pulled over a white pickup truck and the driver, Andrew Moyston Jr., 24, opened fire.

Diaz was taken to an area hospital where he died. 

“I want you guys to please keep Elio’s family in your thoughts and prayers, especially during this time of year,” Sheriff Bill Pummell said during a press conference on Sunday night. “Elio was a friend and a good family man. He loved his children and he was a really great cop.”

After the shooting, deputies went on a manhunt for the suspect. 

He was located at a Popeye’s restaurant on King’s Highway. 

Officials say the suspect shot and killed Corpora Diaz after the deputy pulled him over. 

Officials say he grabbed a rifle as deputies approached, and they opened fire, hitting Moyston in the head. 

Moyston Jr. was flown to an area hospital and died. 

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