Update-Tarpons Springs Officer Killed

PINELLAS COUNTY, Florida (WTSP)- The Tarpon Springs Police Department is reporting that 45-year-old Charles “Charlie K” Kondek is the officer who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday morning.

The shooting occurred around 3 a.m. on December 21, at Glen’s Eureka Apartments on Grand Boulevard in Tarpon Springs. Police were originally called out for a noise ordinance complaint as the suspect was banging on residential doors. When police arrived the suspect shot Kondek and then attempted to flee in a vehicle, but crashed his car into a pole and then a truck at Athens and Cross Street.

Police caught up with the suspect after he crashed and he is now in custody. Officer Kondek was transported to Florida Hospital North Pinellas where he later died from his injuries.

Charles “Charlie K” Kondek served the city of Tarpon Springs as a sworn law enforcement officer for 17 years, many of which were on the midnight shift. Originally from New York, he had previously served for over 5 years as a NYPD officer before moving to Florida.

A news conference will be held this afternoon to provide further details regarding the incident. People in the community are starting to bring flowers to the Tarpon Springs Police Department to honor the fallen officer.

This shooting comes just a day after two officers were killed in an ambush-style shooting in New York City.