Update From DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office
On January 24th, 2025 at approximately 3:40 p.m. the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office received information from Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office out of Georgia that MATTHEW STEVEN ROLLIE (DOB: 09/30/1994) was in DeSoto County. Rollie had an active warrant out of Forsyth County, Georgia for ENTICING A CHILD FOR INDECENT PURPOSES. Furthermore, Rollie was a Sexual Offender who had not registered within DeSoto County. The DCSO Criminal Investigative Division and the Uniformed Patrol Division searched for Rollie throughout the afternoon and into the evening without success.
Early this morning, January 25th, 2025 at approximately 2:16 a.m., two DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be occupied by Rollie in the area of State Road 72 between Thigpen Road and Addison Avenue. The vehicle was occupied by two individuals with the passenger being identified as Rollie. During the process of identifying Rollie, he armed himself with a firearm inside of the vehicle and began firing at the deputies, striking one of the deputies multiple times. The deputies returned fire and Rollie was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The deputy that was injured is being treated and is recovering at this time.
Per DCSO protocol involving deputy involved shootings, this investigation is being conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sheriff Potter will update the public as further details become available. This remains an active investigation.