Veteran Florida police officer killed, suspect in custody

REUTERS

11 years ago

Tarpon Springs Police Department Chief Robert Kochen speaks during a news conference regarding the police shooting in Tarpon Springs, Fla. on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. The Tarpon Springs Police Department identified the fallen officer as 45-year-old Charles Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department. Originally from New York, Kondek had previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years, authorities said. (AP Photo/Tampa Bay Times, Monica Herndon)

This photo provided by the Tarpon Springs Police Department shows Officer Charles Kondek. Ofc. Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department and originally from New York, was shot and killed in Tarpon Springs early Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 responding to a call shortly after 2 a.m. (AP Photo/Tarpon Springs Police Department)

Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 23, center, is escorted into the Pinellas County Jail after being arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after a police officer was shot and killed while on duty, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Tarpon Springs, Fla. The Tarpon Springs Police Department identified the fallen officer as 45-year-old Charles Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department. Originally from New York, Kondek had previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years, authorities said. (AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, Douglas R. Clifford) TAMPA OUT; CITRUS COUNTY OUT; PORT CHARLOTTE OUT; BROOKSVILLE HERNANDO TODAY OUT

Flowers are placed on a police car near the scene of the shooting of Officer Charles Kondek in Tarpon Springs, Fla. on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department and originally from New York, was shot and killed in Tarpon Springs early Sunday responding to a call shortly after 2 a.m. (AP Photo/Tampa Bay Times, Monica Herndon)

A forensic science investigator with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office investigates the scene where 45-year-old Tarpon Springs police officer Charles Kondek was shot and killed, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Tarpon Springs, Fla. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that police have arrested 23-year-old Marco Antonio Parilla Jr. on suspicion of first-degree murder. (AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, Douglas R. Clifford) TAMPA OUT; CITRUS COUNTY OUT; PORT CHARLOTTE OUT; BROOKSVILLE HERNANDO TODAY OUT

Cynthia Martinez, 23 of Tarpon Springs, leaves flowers at a memorial for a slain Tarpon Springs police officer in Tarpon Springs, Fla. on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. The Tarpon Springs Police Department identified the fallen officer as 45-year-old Charles Kondek, a 17-year veteran of the local police department. Originally from New York, Kondek had previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years, authorities said. (AP Photo/Tampa Bay Times, Monica Herndon)

TAMPA, Fla. —A fugitive trying to evade an arrest warrant shot a Tampa-area police officer and then ran him over early Sunday, killing the officer, police said.

Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 23, crashed his car into a pole and another vehicle after running over Tarpon Springs officer Charles Kondek. Parilla was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder.

The shooting did not appear to have any connection to the ambush killings of two New York police officers a day earlier.

Authorities said Kondek responded to a noise call around 2 a.m. at an apartment complex. Parilla was pounding on doors, looking for a neighbor who “dimed him out” to police, authorities said. When Parilla saw Kondek, he fired multiple rounds at the officer, striking him once above his bullet-proof vest.

“We know we have the right guy in custody,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. “This guy knew what he was doing, he killed a cop and he needs to be held accountable for that.”

According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Parilla served more than two years in prison for several offenses, including drug charges, and was released in March. He was listed as a fugitive for violating his probation. It wasn’t immediately clear what the violation was.

The sheriff said Parilla told investigators that when he saw the officer he “felt like a caged rat” and didn’t want to return to prison.

“I apologize to the family” of the officer, Parilla told media outlets while being escorted to jail. “That was not my intention.”

Kondek, 45, had been with the local force for 17 years. Originally from New York, Kondek previously served on the New York City Police Department for more than five years, authorities said.

Kondek was the father of six children.