North Port Police Make Fourth Arrest in Connection to April 5 Shooting at Flats at Sundown Apartment Complex, Investigation into Drug-Related Violence Ongoing
NORTH PORT, FL — In a significant development in an ongoing investigation, the North Port Police Department has arrested a fourth individual in connection to a shooting that occurred on April 5, 2025, near the Flats at Sundown apartment complex. The latest arrest, made earlier this week, brings a new level of urgency and attention to a case that has deeply unsettled residents in the normally quiet Florida community.
The newly arrested suspect has been identified as 21-year-old George Muncan of North Port. Muncan is now facing several serious charges, including attempted murder, discharging a firearm in public, and being a principal to a crime involving the unlawful use of a firearm. Police say Muncan played a key role in a confrontation that escalated into gunfire in the crowded parking lot of the residential complex.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. that Saturday. Multiple gunshots rang out near the swimming pool area of the apartment complex as families and children were outside enjoying the afternoon. Witnesses reported a sudden eruption of violence between two groups, with gunfire exchanged before several individuals fled the scene on foot and by vehicle.
Responding officers recovered numerous shell casings from the area and quickly launched a manhunt for the suspects. A gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and leaking fuel was later found abandoned near a Jiffy Lube across the street from the complex on Toledo Blade Boulevard, suggesting a hasty escape.
Shortly after the shooting, police apprehended three other individuals believed to be involved in the incident. Two were arrested at a Burger King nearby, and a third was taken into custody at a McDonald’s on Sumter and Price Boulevard. Those arrested were identified as 19-year-old Kevon Merritt, a 17-year-old juvenile, and 27-year-old Dejon Love. Merritt and the juvenile face charges including trafficking oxycodone, while Love was wanted for an outstanding grand theft warrant out of Hillsborough County.
Police say that along with the firearms, investigators recovered evidence at the scene and at the nearby fast-food locations that points to a possible drug transaction involving liquid narcotics, further complicating the case.
Fortunately, despite the gunfire erupting near a pool filled with residents and children, no injuries were reported. Still, the shooting has left many shaken, prompting renewed calls for increased security and community policing measures.
“This could have been a tragedy,” said one concerned neighbor who witnessed the chaos unfold. “It’s terrifying to think what might’ve happened if just one bullet went astray.”
The North Port Police Department is continuing its investigation and urges anyone with information about the shooting or those involved to come forward. They can be reached at (941) 429-7300.
As the case develops, authorities have not ruled out further arrests or charges. Community leaders and residents alike are now focused on healing and working together to prevent similar incidents in the future.
