JAN. 2025. Blues Vol 41 No. 1

AROUND THE

AROUND THE COUNTRYCHARLOTTE CNTY, FL.Sergeant Elio Diaz was shot and killed during a traffic stop at4968 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte on December 15th.By Joanna Putman, Police 1‘He had no chance’: Florida.deputy was trying to help homelessman avoid losing truck beforefatal ambush”PORT CHARLOTTE, FL. — TheCharlotte County Sheriff’s Officeprovided new details about thefatal shooting of Sgt. Elio Diaz,who was killed during a trafficstop on Dec. 15th. Diaz stoppeda white pickup truck at a Chevrongas station in Port Charlotteafter discovering its license platewas flagged for financial responsibilitysuspension, indicating alapse in insurance, FOX 4 reported.During the hour-long interaction,Diaz learned the driver washomeless and living out of thetruck. Diaz worked with the manto help him reinstate his insuranceto avoid impounding thevehicle and its contents, SheriffBill Prummell stated during anews conference on Dec. 19.However, as Diaz returned tothe truck after working from hispatrol car, the man retrieved arifle and shot the sergeant multipletimes.“He had no chance,” Prummellsaid when asked if Diaz had achance to return fire during theambush attack.The man then fled the scene inhis truck, leaving Diaz criticallywounded. Diaz was rushed to thehospital, where he later died.Prummell stated Diaz had noopportunity to defend himself,describing the attack as ambush-style.The man then fledthe scene in his truck, leavingDiaz critically wounded. Diazwas rushed to the hospital,where he later died.A multi-agency manhunt ensued,with investigators locatingthe man’s truck at a Popeye’sparking lot near I-75 about anhour later, according to the report.The suspect had swappedthe truck’s Florida license platefor a Georgia plate and donneda ballistic vest armed with steelplates, dash cam and bodycamera video shows. DeputyAndrea Short and Corporal NateEdwards confronted the man inthe parking lot, where he refusedto comply with commands andmade an overt movement towardhis rifle. Short fired a single shot,fatally striking the man.Prummell praised Short for herdecisive action.“As you can see, the shooterin this case was prepared andready for a fight,” Prummell said.“And with a single shot, AndreaSERGEANT ELIO DIAZstopped what could’ve been apotential blood bath. In my book,she’s a frickin’ hero.”Diaz was posthumously promotedto the rank of sergeant.A search of the man’s truckrevealed an arsenal, includingthree rifles, over 1,000 roundsof ammunition, loaded magazines,gas masks and othertactical gear, according to thereport. Investigators also discoveredpackets of hallucinogenicmushrooms and learned fromthe man’s family that he had ahistory of self-medicating anderratic behavior.30 The BLUES - JANUARY ‘25

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