On Wednesday, October 23, at 12:15 p.m., Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance call on Sandy Pine Drive in Punta Gorda.
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Elroy Clarke, the property owner, had reported his tenant was acting erratically and disturbing the peace.
Two deputies arrived and initially spoke with Clarke, who had not yet been identified by name. Deputy #1 then interviewed the tenant and other individuals on the property.
During these conversations, the deputy learned Clarke might have an outstanding warrant. Deputies quickly confirmed Clarke’s identity through a photo and verified his active warrant.
As Deputy #1 approached Clarke to detain him, Clarke denied his identity and gave a false name. When informed of the warrant, he became visibly agitated and ignored commands to place his hands behind his back.
Despite Clarke insisting he was “calm,” he warned deputies, saying, “It was not about to be.”
After repeated warnings, Deputy #1 deployed a taser, but it had little effect. Pepper spray was similarly ineffective. Clarke continued to resist, warning deputies that “they were going to see something they don’t want to see.”
For nearly five minutes, deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation, urging Clarke to surrender peacefully. Clarke, however, demanded the deputies hit or shoot him.
A third deputy arrived to assist, and Deputy #1 informed him that both a taser and pepper spray had failed.
Deputy #3 deployed his taser, but Clarke remained on his feet. When Deputy #1 attempted to push him down, Clarke resisted, evading efforts by all three deputies to restrain him.
Even after deploying multiple bean bag rounds, Clarke charged at Deputy #3, who had drawn his service weapon.
As Clarke made contact with Deputy #3, both Deputy #1 and Deputy #3 discharged their weapons, striking Clarke.
Deputies immediately administered CPR and other medical aid until Charlotte County Fire paramedics arrived. Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene.
One deputy sustained a head injury during the altercation but was treated and released from the hospital. No other individuals were harmed.
[H/T: Police Activity]
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