DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. — The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office released body-camera footage showing a fatal officer-involved shooting of a wanted sex offender who opened fire during a traffic stop, FOX 4 reported.
The shooting occurred on Jan. 25 after deputies identified a man wanted in Georgia for child exploitation offenses as a passenger in a stopped vehicle. According to Sheriff James Potter, Rollie had failed to register as a sex offender in DeSoto County.
Deputy Jose Trujillo initiated the stop after the vehicle’s driver ran a stop sign, according to the report. As Trujillo confirmed the suspect’s identity, Sgt. Nunez arrived and approached the passenger side. Body camera footage shows the suspect removing his seatbelt and suddenly reaching into the vehicle’s center console, where he retrieved a handgun and began firing.
Trujillo was struck twice but returned fire. The suspect then exited the vehicle and pointed the weapon at Nunez, who responded by firing multiple shots. Despite being hit, the suspect continued firing from the ground. Nunez fired additional rounds, and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trujillo was airlifted to the hospital and was initially unable to walk. According to his wife, Savannah Trujillo, he is now recovering at home, using a walker and undergoing physical therapy. A family friend started a GoFundMe campaign to support his recovery.
The suspect had a history of sex crimes involving children in both Wisconsin and Florida, authorities said. Although registered in Marion County, he had not updated his status with DeSoto County.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office reviewed the incident, along with an internal investigation by the sheriff’s office. All concluded the deputies acted appropriately.
