A Fireman is Killed While at Work in Punta Gorda

Rudolph Matura

A fireman was executed while on duty in Punta Gorda on Friday evening.  Rudolph Matura had not too long reported to work and was seated inside the fire station when he was fatally shot through a window.  The incident happened sometime after six p.m. while Matura and a colleague were both at work.  Police say they do not have a motive for the deadly shooting as yet, but are working on several leads, including the fact that he was recently embroiled in a physical altercation with several persons in that town.  The twenty-nine-year-old fireman was found slumped over in his chair when police arrived on the scene.

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“On Friday evening, Punta Gorda police were called to the fire station in Punta Gorda Town shortly after six p.m., whereupon their arrival they observed a male person later identified as Rudolph Matura, twenty-nine-year-old fireman with apparent gunshot wounds and he was also apparently motionless.  What the police know so far is that Mr. Matura, along with another fireman had reported for duty sometime just before six p.m. on Friday and whilst they were inside the office, a male person whose description was not properly given, came to the window where he produced a handgun and fired several shots in the direction of Mr. Matura, fatally injuring him.  Police are investigating and we are looking for a named suspect at this time.”

Joseph Myvett

Duane Moody

“Sir, so Mr. Matura was attacked back-on, from behind?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“No, he was more or less in a sideway position, facing the door, I believe, and his attacker was on his left side towards the window.”

Duane Moody

“Sir, a motive behind this…”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“We do not have a clear motive yet, however, we are working on several issues.  We know that sometime about a month ago, he had had an altercation with several persons where he was beaten.  He did go in and make a police report concerning the incident and shortly thereafter he went and withdrew that report, requesting no court action.  So those persons are also being looked at in relation to this investigation.”

Reporter

“Sir, so it is believed that he was the target.”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Yes, we do believe so, from what has been gathered so far.”