A manhunt in Charlotte County is now over, and lockdowns at six schools were lifted, as two large law enforcement scenes unfolded in the Port Charlotte Area on Monday. The first was in the area of Malone Avenue, as Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched for Matthew Ryan Cross, 32, who was considered armed and dangerous.Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said deputies received a call at approximately 12:30 p.m. about a person who was shot along Malone Avenue. The sheriff said that the victim died from their wounds. A search for Cross, who was identified as the suspect in the incident, began shortly after.At approximately 1:20 p.m., two community policing deputies were doing bicycle patrols in the area of Yorkshire Street and Hillsborough Boulevard.People who came from a homeless camp reportedly told deputies that Cross was in the woods and pointed a gun at them.Prummell said two deputies then went into the woods, Cross shot at them, and deputies fired back, Prummell said.Cross later came out of the woods near Hillsborough Boulevard. According to Prummell, Cross pointed a gun at his head before pointing it at law enforcement.The sheriff said seven members from multiple agencies, five North Port police officers, and two CCSO deputies, then shot and killed him. Gulf Coast News reporter Natacha Casal was at the scene along Yorkshire Street and Veterans Boulevard and heard multiple gunshots before announcing there was no longer a threat.The area remains active with law enforcement from North Port Police and the Florida Highway Patrol, also on scene. There was also a large deputy presence near Kenilworth Boulevard in Port Charlotte, where CCSO said a shot was fired.During the search, CCSO posted a photo of Cross. The law enforcement activity prompted six school lockdowns. The following schools were temporarily put on soft lockdown due to the investigation in that area, which has since been lifted.Liberty ElementaryNeil Armstrong ElementaryPeace River ElementaryCharlotte Harbor CenterPort Charlotte MiddleKingsway ElementaryPeace River ElementaryCharlotte Harbor CenterA soft lockdown is implemented when there is a potential or nearby threat not inside the school. Classes continue, while doors are locked and movement around campus is limited. This is a developing story and will be updated.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 manhunt in Charlotte County is now over, and lockdowns at six schools were lifted, as two large law enforcement scenes unfolded in the Port Charlotte Area on Monday.
The first was in the area of Malone Avenue, as Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched for Matthew Ryan Cross, 32, who was considered armed and dangerous.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said deputies received a call at approximately 12:30 p.m. about a person who was shot along Malone Avenue. The sheriff said that the victim died from their wounds. A search for Cross, who was identified as the suspect in the incident, began shortly after.
At approximately 1:20 p.m., two community policing deputies were doing bicycle patrols in the area of Yorkshire Street and Hillsborough Boulevard.
People who came from a homeless camp reportedly told deputies that Cross was in the woods and pointed a gun at them.
Prummell said two deputies then went into the woods, Cross shot at them, and deputies fired back, Prummell said.
Cross later came out of the woods near Hillsborough Boulevard. According to Prummell, Cross pointed a gun at his head before pointing it at law enforcement.
The sheriff said seven members from multiple agencies, five North Port police officers, and two CCSO deputies, then shot and killed him.
Gulf Coast News reporter Natacha Casal was at the scene along Yorkshire Street and Veterans Boulevard and heard multiple gunshots before announcing there was no longer a threat.
The area remains active with law enforcement from North Port Police and the Florida Highway Patrol, also on scene.
There was also a large deputy presence near Kenilworth Boulevard in Port Charlotte, where CCSO said a shot was fired.
During the search, CCSO posted a photo of Cross.
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
The law enforcement activity prompted six school lockdowns.
The following schools were temporarily put on soft lockdown due to the investigation in that area, which has since been lifted.
Liberty ElementaryNeil Armstrong ElementaryPeace River ElementaryCharlotte Harbor CenterPort Charlotte MiddleKingsway ElementaryPeace River ElementaryCharlotte Harbor Center
A soft lockdown is implemented when there is a potential or nearby threat not inside the school. Classes continue, while doors are locked and movement around campus is limited.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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.