Man kills Florida deputy with his own weapon during traffic stop, police say

A Florida sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot with his own weapon while responding to a vehicle crash on Friday, according to police.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Deputy Devin Jaramillo, 27, was shot Friday afternoon on the 12200 block of Southwest 128th Street after he responded to a traffic crash and was attacked by a suspect who got ahold of Jaramillo’s service weapon.

The attack was “not an ambush,” Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said Saturday.

She said Jaramillo responded to the “minor” traffic incident and got into a verbal dispute with a man who was involved, which escalated into a physical altercation.

“[The suspect] fought with our deputy and during that fight he disarmed our deputy of his own service weapon and used it to shoot him multiple times,” Cordero-Stutz said.

Jaramillo was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

After shooting the deputy, the man entered his own vehicle and took his own life, Cordero-Stutz said. He was identified as 21-year-old Steven David Rustrian.

The sheriff said there was a second subject involved in the traffic crash who was detained but has since been released and will not face any charges.

Cordero-Stutz remembered Jaramillo as a “home-grown hero” and football player, who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Central Florida and went on to dedicate his life to public service.

He was a deputy with the Kendall District.

“This is a devastating day for our MDSO family and the entire Miami-Dade community. Deputy Jaramillo served with honor, courage, and compassion. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. His bravery and service will never be forgotten,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office homicide bureau will investigate the shooting.

Tributes from Florida leaders poured in over the weekend. Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X: “First Lady @CaseyDeSantis and I are heartbroken over the tragic killing of Deputy Jaramillo in Miami-Dade County. Please know that those responsible for his murder will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she’s “praying” for Jaramillo’s family.

“Our entire community stands with this brave officer, his family and fellow deputies, and all our men and women in uniform who put themselves at risk to protect our community,” she wrote on X.

@ NBC News