UPDATE Saturday, January 25 12:34p ==================
A wanted sex offender opened fire on deputies and was subsequently killed near Arcadia Saturday morning, as reported by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office. In a significant turn of events, this incident reflects the broader issues of community safety and the precarious balance law enforcement must maintain while keeping the public safe.
FOX 4’s search into state records unveiled a troubling criminal history for Matthew Steven Rollie, with past offenses in both Wisconsin and Florida, including serious sex crimes linked to children. The disturbing nature of these crimes, coupled with the events of the morning, prompts a moment of reflection on the challenges faced by communities in dealing with dangerous individuals.
Photo of Matthew Steven Rollie from the Sex Offender Registry flyer issued by the state of Florida.
Watch Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski’s report here:
Wanted sex offender opened fire on deputies in traffic stop near Arcadia
According to authorities, Rollie had an active warrant from Forsyth County, Georgia, for Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes. Shockingly, he was not registered as a sex offender in DeSoto County, with his details listed under a zip code in Ocala, Florida. This absence from local registries spark questions about the effectiveness of tracking systems designed to protect the innocent.
The manhunt had already begun Friday afternoon, yet the search yielded no results until early Saturday morning. At roughly 2:00 AM, two DeSoto County deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle along State Road 72, situated between Thigpen Road and Addison Avenue.
Within that vehicle were two individuals, and the deputies suspected that Rollie was the passenger. As they worked to confirm his identity, Rollie suddenly armed himself and opened fire, striking one of the deputies multiple times. The situation escalated quickly, showcasing the unpredictable and dangerous nature of their line of work.
The deputies responded with their own gunfire, resulting in Rollie’s death. This tragic outcome serves as a somber reminder of the threats faced by law enforcement during their daily efforts to maintain order within the community.
The injured deputy is currently receiving treatment and is on the road to recovery, although their identity has not been revealed to the public at this time. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has opened an investigation into the shooting, following standard protocols whenever a law enforcement officer discharges their weapon.
ORIGINAL REPORTING ======================
The chilling events of that Saturday morning resulted in a wounded deputy and the death of a suspect involved in a chaotic encounter on the streets of Arcadia. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office notes that the incident unfolded near State Road 72, close to Crown Roofing, a local business that often finds itself at the heart of such happenings.
The current condition of the injured deputy remains unreported, but the gravity of the situation leaves a community contemplating its safety and the measures necessary to protect it from threats like Rollie, a man whose past shadows the tragic narrative.
Stay tuned to fox4now.com and FOX 4 News on TV for ongoing updates on this evolving story.
