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Suspect in fatal shooting is dead after confrontation with Charlotte deputies, police
By WGCU Staff
March 30, 2026 at 2:01 PM EDT
A male suspect being sought in connection after a shot fired incident in Port Charlotte Monday afternoon was shot dead himself after a confrontation with Charlotte County Sheriff's Office deputies and North Port police.
The Sheriff's Office reported a large law enforcement presence an an initial crime scene near Malone Avenue in Port Charlotte with a second area involved by Kenilworth Boulevard.
The CCSO was searching for Matthew Ryan Cross, 32, who was considered armed and dangerous.
Cross was being sought in connection with an earlier fatal shooting on Malone. He was later confronted in a wooded area by Charlotte County deputies and North Port police offices and was fatally shot.
During the incident several schools in the area were on lockdown and residents were told to stay in their homes.
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The Sheriff's Office reported a large law enforcement presence an an initial crime scene near Malone Avenue in Port Charlotte with a second area involved by Kenilworth Boulevard.
The CCSO was searching for Matthew Ryan Cross, 32, who was considered armed and dangerous.
Cross was being sought in connection with an earlier fatal shooting on Malone. He was later confronted in a wooded area by Charlotte County deputies and North Port police offices and was fatally shot.
During the incident several schools in the area were on lockdown and residents were told to stay in their homes.
WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.