A 17-year veteran police officer in Florida was killed after being shot and then run over by a wanted man who felt like a “caged rat” according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
During a Sunday press conference, Sheriff Gualtieri related the circumstances of the incident.
As WFLA reports, officer Charles Kondek, 45, a 17-year veteran of the Tarpon Springs Police Department, was killed while responding to a noise complaint at 2:03 a.m. at 199 Grand Blvd.
Kondek arrived at the scene and called for backup, “He saw something that made him feel uncomfortable,” said Gualtieri.
When Kondek arrived, suspect, Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 23, was inside an apartment. Parilla, who has a lengthy criminal record and had an outstanding arrest warrant, left the apartment, went to the parking lot and saw officer Kondek standing near his car. Gualtieri says that’s when Parilla opened fire on the officer.
According to Gualtieri,the moment the suspect saw the police officer, he realized he was going back to prison and fired seven rounds at the officer.
“This cop killer is unloading his gun,” said Gualtieri, adding “this cop killer felt like a caged rat.”
Kondek managed to return fire shooting two rounds at the suspect, but was hit by one bullet which killed him.
Gualtieri said that after shooting Kondek, Parilla got into the car he had been driving and ran over the police officer as he fled the scene.
Police officers who arrived at the scene attempted to keep Officer Kondek alive by administering CPR, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Florida Hospital North.
You can watch a news clip on the shooting followed by a press release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The Pinellas Country Sheriff’s Office issued the following press release:
14-343 Tarpon Springs Police Officer Killed In The Line Of Duty
According to investigators, Officer Kondek responded to a noise complaint at 199 Grand Boulevard at about 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 21st, 2014.
Investigators say the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., and a female companion arrived at the above listed address and pulled into the driveway. The female companion remained in the vehicle, while Parilla began knocking on multiple doors looking for someone who he said had “dimed him out” reference a Violation of Probation.
Detectives say a neighbor asked the female companion to lower the music in the car. When she refused, the neighbor called 911 with a noise complaint.
Detectives say the female subsequently began to back out of the driveway.
Officer Kondek arrived on scene and exited his vehicle. Detectives say Parilla walked towards the officer and opened fire. Officer Kondek managed to return fire before falling to the ground.
Parilla then ordered the female companion out of the vehicle, took the wheel and as he fled the scene, ran over Officer Kondek.
Detectives say that this occurred as another individual who lived at the Grand Boulevard address opened fire on Parilla, because he thought Parilla was looking for him.
Parilla fled in the vehicle. Tarpon Springs Police engaged in a brief pursuit. Parilla crashed into a pole and then into a parked vehicle at Athens and Cross Street. Following the crash Parilla exited the vehicle and fled on foot, and was apprehended shortly thereafter by a Tarpon Spring Police Officer.
Parilla was interviewed at the Sheriff’s North District Station and was subsequently transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident. He was arrested for first degree murder. Parilla admitted to the crime.
Early this afternoon Tarpon Springs Police Department released the following statement:
With grieving hearts, the Tarpon Springs Police Department is saddened to announce the loss of Officer Charles Kondek. Officer Kondek served the City of Tarpon Springs as a sworn law enforcement officer for over 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.
The investigation continues.
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