October 22, 2023 – Port Charlotte, FL
One man is in custody after two separate shooting incidents in Port Charlotte overnight.
Shortly after midnight, Charlotte County deputies were called to a local hospital to investigate a juvenile with a single, non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Deputies met with the victim, who stated that he had been shot while meeting with an acquaintance between 11:30 and 11:45pm to purchase marijuana on Conway Blvd. in Port Charlotte. The juvenile only knew the acquaintance as “Joe” but admitted that he had purchased marijuana from him before. The victim described Joe as having reddish hair and a grill on his teeth, and added that Joe was driving a silver sedan. After being shot, the juvenile retreated to a friend’s house nearby and was taken to the hospital. As detectives investigated the area, several 9mm casings were located.
Nearly three hours later, deputies responded to a second call, this one on Olean Blvd. The victim in this incident was uninjured, but reported several rounds had been fired into her home while she was sleeping. She noted that her son had been having issues with someone named Joseph Muncan. The juvenile was able to produce a photograph of Joseph Muncan (7/5/2005). This photograph was shown to the first victim, who acknowledged the picture was of “Joe”. Additionally, the casings at this scene matched those of the first incident.
“I am glad that the injury sustained by the victim is not life-threatening and that the second victim was not hurt. However, I hope that a lesson has been learned about the dangers of purchasing illegal drugs, regardless of what type. Thank you to the North Port Police Department for their assistance, and I want to assure Charlotte County that the suspect is in custody and there is no threat to our community.”
SHERIFF BILL PRUMMELL
Investigative techniques revealed that Joseph Muncan is the registered owner of a silver Hyundai Elantra and that his vehicle was observed in the areas of both incidents at the times they occurred. Joseph was located in North Port and placed under arrest by North Port Police on unrelated charges. NPPD then assisted Charlotte County deputies with obtaining a search warrant for Muncan’s vehicle.
Joseph Muncan now faces charges of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon from CCSO in addition to the charges brought by North Port Police. He is being held at the Sarasota County Jail.
If anyone has any additional information that is relevant to these incidents, please call the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number (941) 639-2101.