The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after they say a man who was tasered in an incident Sunday morning became unresponsive.
A Sheriff’s Office spokesperson shared that around 6:30 a.m., a deputy patrolling on Main Street at Vine Street (OBT and 192) noticed a male pedestrian running in and out of traffic, in the westbound lanes. Deputies attempted to gain control of the male pedestrian, and a physical altercation occurred.
They deployed an agency-issued Taser and the suspect, who has been identified as 31-year-old Derik Bonet-Rodriguez, was immediately placed in handcuffs. Once secured, the suspect became unresponsive, a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said, and the deputies began first aid on the male suspect. He was then transported by a Fire Rescue unit to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Court records show Bonet-Rodriguez had an arrest record for drug possession, resistance without violence and other misdemeanor charges between 2021-24 in Osceola County.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been contacted to investigate the use of force while the Sheriff’s Office awaits the toxicology and autopsy reports.
