American Airlines pilot from Charlotte shot and killed in Puerto Rico, officials say
A Charlotte-based American Airlines pilot was killed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, over the weekend, an airline spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
Matthew Stapula, 48, was shot during a layover, family members told WBTV, which first broke the story. American Airlines spokesperson Crystal Byrd told McClatchy News the incident occurred “during the early morning hours” on Sunday.
“We are providing any investigative assistance possible,” she said.
Police in Puerto Rico said Stapula and a 36-year-old man were shot outside a club in the Santurce District of San Juan around 4 a.m. They died at thescene, according to a news release.
A third person was also shot and taken to a nearby hospital, police said. The incident is still under investigation.
Eric Stapula posted on Facebook Monday about his son’s death.
“The world lost a great pilot today,” the post states. “My son and best friend Matthew Stapula was brutally murdered this morning in Puerto Rico while on an overnight layover.”
