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Police officer shot and killed in Florida

Posted at 3:34 PM, Dec 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-21 15:34:34-05

(CNN) — A police officer in Tarpon Springs, Florida, was shot and killed early Sunday, a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.

A suspect is in custody.

The fatal shooting occurred in a residential area in the predawn hours, said Cecilia Barreda from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

The slain officer, Charles Kondek, was a 17-year veteran of the Tarpon Springs Police Department.

Kondek, 45, was a New York City police officer for five years before moving to Florida, the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 23.

Parilla faces a charge of first-degree murder.

The sheriff’s office and local police are investigating.

Tarpon Springs is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast about 10 miles northwest of Tampa.