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Florida authorities say gunman killed police officer on Sunday morning Florida authorities say gunman killed police officer on Sunday morning
(about 4 hours later)
Police Officer, shot and killed overnight in Tarpon Springs, FL http://t.co/vbTazgiUIL #PoliceLivesMatter #tcot pic.twitter.com/mb0Vtgewil — Wayne Dupree ★彡 (@WayneDupreeShow) December 21, 2014Police Officer, shot and killed overnight in Tarpon Springs, FL http://t.co/vbTazgiUIL #PoliceLivesMatter #tcot pic.twitter.com/mb0Vtgewil — Wayne Dupree ★彡 (@WayneDupreeShow) December 21, 2014
Police Officer, shot and killed overnight in Tarpon Springs, FL http://t.co/vbTazgiUIL #PoliceLivesMatter #tcot pic.twitter.com/mb0VtgewilPolice Officer, shot and killed overnight in Tarpon Springs, FL http://t.co/vbTazgiUIL #PoliceLivesMatter #tcot pic.twitter.com/mb0Vtgewil
— Wayne Dupree ★彡 (@WayneDupreeShow) December 21, 2014— Wayne Dupree ★彡 (@WayneDupreeShow) December 21, 2014
A police officer was fatally shot in Florida early Sunday, according to news reports.A police officer was fatally shot in Florida early Sunday, according to news reports.
Police officers collect evidence on scene of the shooting in Tarpon Springs on Sunday. @TB_Times #tbtonassignment pic.twitter.com/iz8hYAqUPC — Monica Herndon (@monica_herndon) December 21, 2014Police officers collect evidence on scene of the shooting in Tarpon Springs on Sunday. @TB_Times #tbtonassignment pic.twitter.com/iz8hYAqUPC — Monica Herndon (@monica_herndon) December 21, 2014
Police officers collect evidence on scene of the shooting in Tarpon Springs on Sunday. @TB_Times #tbtonassignment pic.twitter.com/iz8hYAqUPCPolice officers collect evidence on scene of the shooting in Tarpon Springs on Sunday. @TB_Times #tbtonassignment pic.twitter.com/iz8hYAqUPC
— Monica Herndon (@monica_herndon) December 21, 2014— Monica Herndon (@monica_herndon) December 21, 2014
The officer, whose name has not been officially released, was shot around 3 a.m. in Tarpon Springs, a city 30 miles northwest of Tampa Bay, according to the Associated Press. Charles Kondek, 45, was shot around 3 a.m. in Tarpon Springs, a city 30 miles northwest of Tampa Bay, according to the Associated Press.
On Sunday morning, a post on the Tarpon Springs Police Department’s Facebook page identified the officer as Charles Kondek. A 17-year veteran of the department who worked for many years on the midnight shift, he was a father of five who spent five years working as a New York City policeman, according to Bay News 9. The officer was investigating a noise complaint when he was killed, according to ABC Action News.
"Just a standout cop" – Tarpon Springs Police Chief about slain TS PD Officer Kondek. — ADAM Z WINER (@adamzwiner) December 21, 2014
"Just a standout cop" – Tarpon Springs Police Chief about slain TS PD Officer Kondek.
— ADAM Z WINER (@adamzwiner) December 21, 2014
"A tragedy caused by a coward" @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/9EWQLnE3Mh — Cameron Polom ABC (@cpolom) December 21, 2014
"A tragedy caused by a coward" @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/9EWQLnE3Mh
— Cameron Polom ABC (@cpolom) December 21, 2014
On Sunday morning, a post on the Tarpon Springs Police Department’s Facebook page identified Kondek as the victim of the shooting.
“It is with deep regret and great sadness to report the death of Officer Charles “Charlie K” Kondek on 12/21/2014,” the post said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the Kondek Family and offer our deepest sympathy to them. May Charlie rest in peace and We Will Never Forget him.”“It is with deep regret and great sadness to report the death of Officer Charles “Charlie K” Kondek on 12/21/2014,” the post said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the Kondek Family and offer our deepest sympathy to them. May Charlie rest in peace and We Will Never Forget him.”
Police said the gunman fled the scene of the shooting and then crashed his vehicle into a pole and another vehicle and was apprehended, the AP reported. Police said the gunman —  identified as 23-year-old Marco Antonio Parilla Jr — fled the scene of the shooting and then crashed his vehicle into a pole and another vehicle before he was apprehended, the AP reported. Parilla was arrested and taken to the Pinellas County Jail, Bay News 9 reported. He has been charged with one-count of first degree murder, ABC reported.
Police did not name the suspect or release a motive for the killing, according to NBC News. Asked by reporters why he killed Officer Kondek, ABC reported that Parilla offered an apology. 
“”I apologize to the family,” he said. ” That was not my intention.” 
#BREAKING 24 y/o Suspect in deadly shooting of Tarpon Springs officer has prison record. http://t.co/kWWYefIvWj pic.twitter.com/QSaxRdoUlY — WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) December 21, 2014
#BREAKING 24 y/o Suspect in deadly shooting of Tarpon Springs officer has prison record. http://t.co/kWWYefIvWj pic.twitter.com/QSaxRdoUlY
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) December 21, 2014
#BREAKING: Suspect accused of killing #TarponSprings walked into jail. pic.twitter.com/1RHaMZgIeg — ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) December 21, 2014
#BREAKING: Suspect accused of killing #TarponSprings walked into jail. pic.twitter.com/1RHaMZgIeg
— ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) December 21, 2014
#BREAKING: Suspect in #TarponSprings police shooting said during perp walk, "I apologize to the family. That was not my intention." — ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) December 21, 2014
#BREAKING: Suspect in #TarponSprings police shooting said during perp walk, "I apologize to the family. That was not my intention."
— ABC Action News (@abcactionnews) December 21, 2014
Family of killed Tarpon Springs PD officer asking that donations for family go to Suncoast Law Enforcement Charities. pic.twitter.com/vVT2Wkohg4 — ADAM Z WINER (@adamzwiner) December 21, 2014
Family of killed Tarpon Springs PD officer asking that donations for family go to Suncoast Law Enforcement Charities. pic.twitter.com/vVT2Wkohg4
— ADAM Z WINER (@adamzwiner) December 21, 2014
The officer’s death occurred hours after two New York City police officers were killed while sitting in a vehicle in Brooklyn, according to police. Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, shot at point-blank range, were pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital shortly after the shooting. The gunman — identified by police as 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley — on his Instagram account declared his intention to kill police officers as retribution for the recent police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, police said. Brinsley took his own life with a gunshot wound to the head within minutes of firing upon the officers, police said.The officer’s death occurred hours after two New York City police officers were killed while sitting in a vehicle in Brooklyn, according to police. Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, shot at point-blank range, were pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital shortly after the shooting. The gunman — identified by police as 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley — on his Instagram account declared his intention to kill police officers as retribution for the recent police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, police said. Brinsley took his own life with a gunshot wound to the head within minutes of firing upon the officers, police said.
In the wake of both shootings in New York and Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued the following statement:
“Earlier today my wife and I were saddened to hear of the killing of Tarpon Springs police officer Charles Kondek, just hours after the nation was shocked by the horrific murder of two NYPD officers. These killings are stark and somber reminders of the risks our men and women in law enforcement take each and every day to keep us and our families safe. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, the men and women of the Tarpon Springs and New York Police Departments, and with the brave men and women of law enforcement across the country who continue their work today undaunted and undeterred. As we should every day, I thank them for the courage and sacrifices they and their families make in the service of our communities.”
“Earlier today my wife and I were saddened to hear of the killing of Tarpon Springs police officer Charles Kondek, just hours after the nation was shocked by the horrific murder of two NYPD officers. These killings are stark and somber reminders of the risks our men and women in law enforcement take each and every day to keep us and our families safe.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, the men and women of the Tarpon Springs and New York Police Departments, and with the brave men and women of law enforcement across the country who continue their work today undaunted and undeterred. As we should every day, I thank them for the courage and sacrifices they and their families make in the service of our communities.”
RELATED: Two New York City police officers are shot and killed in a brazen ambush in BrooklynRELATED: Two New York City police officers are shot and killed in a brazen ambush in Brooklyn
[This post has been updated multiple times.]