Narrative regarding Charlotte County sheriff’s deputy shooting and killing Elroy Clarke.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 12:15 p.m., Charlotte County Sheriff’s dispatch received a call regarding a disturbance in the 2200 block of sandy pine drive in unincorporated Punta Gorda. The owner of the property, 42-year-old Elroy Clarke, called to report a tenant on his property was acting erratically. Two deputies arrived at the property and made contact with Clarke. He told deputies that his tenant was disturbing the peace.
At this point, the deputies had not identified Clarke by name. Deputy #1 spoke with the tenant and others on the property. During the course of these conversations, deputy #1 obtained information that Clarke possibly had a warrant for his arrest. Deputy #1 asked deputy #2 to contact dispatch and inquire about the possible warrant. Deputies were able to confirm Clarke’s identity by his photo and that he had an active warrant for his arrest. Deputy #1 requested that additional deputies respond to the scene in anticipation of detaining Clarke. When deputy #1 approached Clarke, he denied being Elroy Clarke and provided a false name. When advised he had a warrant, Clarke became agitated.
Deputies gave Clarke multiple commands to put his hands behind his back, but he did not comply. Despite showing signs of agitation, Clarke said he was calm but that “It was not about to be.”
Deputy #1 advised Clarke that he would be tased if he failed to comply. After multiple warnings, deputy #1 deployed his taser but it had little effect. Deputy #1 then deployed pepper spray which also proved ineffective. Deputy #1 attempted to take Clarke to the ground, but Clarke remained on his feet and warned deputies that if they touched him “They were going to see something they don’t want to see.” over the next five minutes, deputies continued to give Clarke commands to get on the ground and put his hands behind his back. He did not comply. Clarke demanded that deputy #1 hit him with his baton and to shoot him so that “They could see.” both deputies continued attempts to speak with Clarke and convince him to peacefully surrender. Deputy #3 arrived on the scene and exited his patrol vehicle. As deputy #3 approached, deputy #1 advised him that Clarke had been “Tased twice and been sprayed.” deputy #3 deployed his taser, but Clarke remained standing. Deputy #1 pushed Clarke onto the ground. Deputy #3 used the taser in direct contact with Clarke in an effort to gain compliance so deputies could place him in handcuffs.
Despite the use of a taser and baton, Clarke was able to break free of the three deputies and get back on his feet. Deputies continued to give him commands to get on the ground. Over the next eight minutes, deputies continued to give Clarke commands to get on the ground but he failed to comply. Deputy #1 retrieved a less lethal device that deploys bean bag rounds. Deputy #1 advised Clarke about the device and warned him that it would be used if he did not get on the ground. Deputy #1 deployed multiple bean bag rounds that struck Clarke, but it had little effect. After Clarke was struck with the final bean bag round, he charged at and made contact with deputy #3. Deputy #3 was holding his service weapon. Deputy #3 and deputy #1 discharged their service weapons, striking Clarke. Before the final bean bag deployment, deputy #3 drew his service weapon. Deputies provided medical aid, including the use of cpr, until the arrival of charlotte county fire paramedics. Clarke was pronounced deceased at the scene. One deputy suffered a head injury during the altercation with Clarke. He was treated and released from the hospital. No uninvolved people were injured in this incident.