FAIR LAWN, N.J. (AP) – Sheriffs’ deputies in Florida gunned down the man accused in last week’s shooting death of a New Jersey police officer after he confronted them Sunday morning with a small arsenal of firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle.

Omar Marti, 23, of Passaic, told a relative last week that police would never take him alive, said Michael Mordaga, chief of detectives for the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

“It appears at this point that he meant what he said,” Mordaga said.

Marti had eluded authorities since Thursday night, when prosecutors say he fatally shot Fair Lawn Officer Mary Ann Collura, 43, and wounded Clifton Officer Steven Farrell, 30, who is hospitalized in good condition.

Marti first fled to Binghamton, N.Y., with a cousin, then slipped away and drove south after more than 100 officers converged there, Mordaga said. Marti got as far as Maryland before authorities realized he was gone, and he passed through Richmond, Va.; Atlanta; and Jacksonville, Fla.

Florida officers already were looking for Marti early Sunday when a Hernando County sheriff’s deputy walked by the suspect’s parked car, Mordaga said. Marti fired at the deputy, missed and drove off.

Marti was pursued into Sumter County by six sheriff’s deputies from both counties, who used road spikes to flatten his tires. The car stopped on Route 4 in an area surrounded by fields and small homes.

He emerged from his car spraying bullets wildly and started to run toward a pickup truck occupied by two civilians. Apparently realizing he was not going to make it, Marti turned around and shot himself in the jaw.

Sheriff’s deputies fired the fatal shots directly into his chest, Mordaga said. Marti died about 10:30 a.m.

“They were under fire by him at all times,” Mordaga said. “He was heavily armed, and they did an outstanding job. We’re just glad that they’re safe.”

Prosecutors said they found a cache of ammunition and weapons, including an AK-47 automatic assault weapon, in the car, as well as marijuana and cocaine in his pockets.

On Sunday evening, police were still searching for the cousin who accompanied Marti to New York and then to Florida. Manuel Brignoni, 26, will be charged with hindering apprehension and weapons violations, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

Prosecutors identified Marti as the gunman in the shootout on Thursday night that killed Collura and hospitalized Farrell.

“This isn’t one of those cases where we have doubts it was him. There’s no question it was him,” Molinelli said. “It will give some satisfaction to (Collura’s) family, knowing the case has been closed.”

A warrant had been issued for Marti’s arrest on charges including murder, attempted murder and carjacking, as well as drug and weapons violations. Several of Marti’s relatives also faced charges for aiding him after Thursday’s shootout.