Man wanted in Cape slaying shot by Ohio deputies; Suspect critical; no one else injured

by CONNOR HOLMES
published in the Cape Coral Daily Breeze 4/4/09

A Cape Coral man wanted in connection with the slaying of his girlfriend was detained by sheriff's deputies at an Ohio hotel Friday after a struggle that led to his being wounded by gunfire.

Matthew Gullett, accused of killing Shannon Sweet in their Cape Coral apartment, was found at a Best Value Inn at 4925 East Pike in Zanesville, Ohio.

Gullett was shot during a struggle with deputies in the parking lot there, according to Muskingum County Sheriff Matthew Lutz. He was taken to Grant Hospital in Columbus where he was in critical condition Friday evening, Lutz said.

No Sheriff's Office personnel were hurt.

Local police had contacted authorities in Ohio, telling them to be on the lookout for the stolen 1995 Cadillac El Dorado Gullett was believed to be driving, Lutz said. He said Gullett was a former resident of Zanesville.

In July of 2003 in Zanesville, Gullett was sentenced to serve four years in prison for burglary, grand theft auto and theft under $500, according to court documents. In 2005, Gullett was placed on three years of community control and was required to complete a Licking-Muskingum Community Correction Program, which he completed July of that year, documents state.

Documents also state Gullett was later found to have violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine, associating with a sexually-oriented offender, violating curfew and failing to make regular reports to Probation Supervisor Wil Champlin.

Deputies spotted the stolen Cadillac Friday at the hotel and attempted to clear neighboring rooms, however Gullett fled, which led to the struggle, officials said.

Cape Coral police have issued a warrant for Gullett's arrest for second-degree murder in the death of Sweet, whose body was found in their apartment at 4921 Coronado Parkway, Unit 3. Officers discovered Sweet's body Monday morning and deemed the death a homicide. Two Cape Coral detectives left Friday for Ohio following Gullett's apprehension, officials said,

Lutz contacted the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.