A Florida police officer was shot and killed in Tarpon Springs early Sunday morning after responding to a 911 call for a noise complaint.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reportedly said in a statement that the shooting occurred around 3 a.m., local time, in the city 36 miles north of Tampa Bay. It added that a suspect had been taken into custody.
The Tarpon Springs Police Department identified the victim as 45-year-old Charles Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department. Originally from New York, Kondek previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years, authorities said.
Authorities say Kondek responded to a call for service shortly after 2 a.m. Police said the suspect shot at the officer, and then fled the scene in a vehicle, before crashing into a pole and another vehicle, according to local reports. He was then reportedly apprehended by police at that location.
Antonio Parilla, Jr. was taken into custody and will be charged with first degree murder in Kondek's death, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Antonio Parilla, Jr. is charged with one-count of First Degree Murder, per @SheriffPinellas— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) December 21, 2014
A memorial to Kondek began to form outside the Tarpon Springs Police Department on Sunday afternoon.
Flowers and cards grow at Tarppn Springs Police Department. @WFLA pic.twitter.com/eiKvQgBla9— Peter Bernard (@WFLApeter) December 21, 2014
Florida Gov. Rick Scott also expressed his condolences.
We pray for peace following the tragic death of Police Officer Charles Kondek who was killed in the line of duty. http://t.co/JJceEtStk4— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) December 21, 2014
Sunday's shooting in Florida comes just after two NYPD officers were killed in New York on Saturday.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press