Port Charlotte man accused of shooting, killing his father, returning to scene to turn self in
Updated: 9:14 AM EST Dec 9, 2025
A Port Charlotte man is accused of shooting his father to death and then returning to the scene to turn himself in.According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots in the area of Abscott Street in Port Charlotte just after 7 p.m.One caller reported that a man was bleeding on the driveway of a home. Deputies arrived at the scene and saw a man lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, the CCSO said.Emergency medical services were immediately called, and the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, the CCSO said.As the Major Case Unit worked the scene, deputies saw the victim’s vehicle arrive and park a short distance away. A man, identified as Melquan Stewart, 25, exited the vehicle and walked up to the scene, according to the CCSO.Deputies saw that Stewart was covered in blood and began to question him. Stewart told deputies he was turning himself in and confessed to shooting and killing the victim, who was his father, the CCSO said.“I cannot imagine many things worse for a family to go through than something like this, especially during the holiday season,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “My heart goes out to the rest of the family as they cope with this unbearable situation, essentially the loss of two loved ones at the same time, and the long, difficult road ahead through the justice system. May God watch over them and keep them strong.”The CCSO said the investigation is ongoing.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. —
A Port Charlotte man is accused of shooting his father to death and then returning to the scene to turn himself in.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots in the area of Abscott Street in Port Charlotte just after 7 p.m.
One caller reported that a man was bleeding on the driveway of a home. Deputies arrived at the scene and saw a man lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, the CCSO said.
Emergency medical services were immediately called, and the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, the CCSO said.
As the Major Case Unit worked the scene, deputies saw the victim’s vehicle arrive and park a short distance away. A man, identified as Melquan Stewart, 25, exited the vehicle and walked up to the scene, according to the CCSO.
Deputies saw that Stewart was covered in blood and began to question him. Stewart told deputies he was turning himself in and confessed to shooting and killing the victim, who was his father, the CCSO said.
“I cannot imagine many things worse for a family to go through than something like this, especially during the holiday season,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “My heart goes out to the rest of the family as they cope with this unbearable situation, essentially the loss of two loved ones at the same time, and the long, difficult road ahead through the justice system. May God watch over them and keep them strong.”
The CCSO said the investigation is ongoing.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.