SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A man is dead after he opened fire on deputies who were attempting to arrest him on child sex abuse charges, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they were attempting to arrest Wayne Raulerson, 44, on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation of a person under 12, sexual battery with a person 12 years of age or older but younger than 18 and obstruction without violence.
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Investigators were trying to serve a warrant on Raulerson’s home at 132 W. Prairie St. in Center Hill when they were informed that he was armed and made statements that he would not be taken alive.
The sheriff’s office said SWAT and a hostage negotiations team were called to the area and secured the neighborhood before Raulerson came out of the home with a rifle. Deputies said he was given multiple commands to drop the gun but he moved toward them and opened fire.
SWAT returned fire, killing Raulerson in the process. No deputies were hurt, according to a news release.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the shooting.
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