A fugitive child sex offender was shot dead after opening fire on Florida deputies during a traffic stop, newly released body camera footage has revealed.
Matthew Steven Rollie, 30, was wanted in Georgia for enticing a child for indecent purposes and for failing to register as a sex offender.
A warrant was issued for his arrest on January 24 and a manhunt ensued in DeSoto County, north of Sarasota, where authorities believed Rollie was located, but the search was unsuccessful.
The next day, DeSoto County sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop along State Road 72 after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. Officers had also suspected that Rollie was a passenger in the vehicle.
Body camera footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows that Deputy Jose Trujillo was working to confirm Rollie’s identity as Sgt. Niurvis Nunez approached the passenger side door.
Trujillo asked the driver to exit the vehicle while Nunez was looking at the fugitive’s drivers license. Rollie, as Nunez is reviewing the document, unbuckled his seat belt, reached for his gun and fire multiple shots, the video shows.
Despite being struck twice, Trujillo returned fired. Footage captured by a camera inside the patrol car shows that after Rollie shot Trujillo, he turned the gun on Nunez.
But the deputy opened fire multiple times and the suspect fell to the ground. Rollie was pronounced dead at the scene.
Matthew Steven Rollie, 30, was shot dead after opening fire on Florida deputies during a traffic stop on January 25. He had been wanted in Georgia for enticing a child for indecent purposes and for failing to register as a sex offender
Body camera footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows that Rollie opened fire on DeSoto County Deputy Jose Trujillo and Sgt. Niurvis Nunez during the traffic stop
Rollie unbuckled his seat belt, reached for his gun and fire multiple shots, the video shows
In an update released Wednesday, DeSoto County Sheriff Jim Potter revealed the officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
An investigation by the sheriff’s office, state attorney’s office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determined that both Trujillo and Nunez complied with agency policy and state statue.
Trujillo was airlifted hospitalized after the January 25 shooting and, at one point, had been unable to walk.
Potter said Trujillo is currently at home as he continues to recover from his injuries. Nunez has since returned to duty.
‘I want to thank our brave deputies for their courage and their outstanding performance during this incident,’ Potter added.
‘I also want to reach out with a heartfelt thanks to our fire and EMS here in DeSoto County for their response and rendering of aid to our injured deputy.’
He further thanked the community for their ‘support of the law and order here in DeSoto County’ and for the ‘outpouring support that you’ve given to our two deputies who were involved in this incident’.
Deputy Jose Trujillo was working to confirm Rollie’s identity as Sgt. Niurvis Nunez approached the passenger side door. Trujillo asked the driver to exit the vehicle while Nunez was looking at the fugitive’s drivers license
Footage captured by a patrol car camera shows that after Rollie shot Trujillo, he turned the gun on Nunez. Rollie is seen holding the gun as Nunez points her weapon towards him
