HCSO has ruled a shooting involving an off-duty detention deputy as accidental

On May 23, 2020, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a confidential location within Hillsborough County in reference to a shooting that had just occurred.

Upon arrival, deputies learned Samuel Rodriguez, an off-duty detention deputy, was shot. Deputies rendered medical aid until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived and transported Rodriguez to an area hospital. Deputies on the scene also learned Samuel Rodriguez's live-in girlfriend, Johana Rodriguez, had sustained gunshot wounds to both of her legs. Deputies further learned Johana Rodriguez called a civilian employee of the Sheriff's Office.

Detectives were contacted and responded to the scene. They conducted interviews and photographed and processed the incident scene for evidence. Photographs were also taken of the injuries sustained by Johana Rodriguez. Based on the injuries she sustained, the trajectory of the bullet started low to the ground, struck Johana's left calf, which caused a non-penetrating graze wound. The bullet then continued in an upward trajectory and entered the rear side of her right thigh and exited at an upward angle to the outer right side of her right quadriceps. The projectile then continued in an upward angle and penetrated Deputy Rodriguez’s center chest.

During an interview with Johana Rodriguez, detectives learned she possesses a concealed weapons permit. On May 23, the couple took their children swimming at another residence. Johana Rodriguez placed the firearm inside the small front pocket of a backpack.

At one point, while inside a bedroom, one of the children grabbed the backpack, not knowing the firearm was in it. Johana Rodriguez grabbed the backpack away from the child, and in doing so, the backpack fell to the ground and struck the floor. This caused the firearm to discharge. The holster which still contained the firearm showed a small crack at the bottom. The backpack had a hole in it, which is consistent with the shot coming from within the bag. A search of the inside of the backpack also revealed what appeared to be gunpowder residue and some melting consistent with the story.

Johana’s interview revealed she attempted to call 911, but the call did not connect. She then called Danny Alvarez, who is a family friend, and a civilian employee at HCSO. A search of her cell phone showed two calls to 911, prior to calling Alvarez. He never responded to the scene but responded to the hospital for support. Alvarez was later interviewed by detectives.

A forensic interview was conducted with a child who was at the residence at the time of the incident. The child’s statement was consistent with the previously obtained statements from both Deputy Rodriguez and Johana Rodriguez. The firearm and spent shell casing were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing.

On July 9, 2020, the results were received from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was learned the firearm functioned properly, and the casing located at the scene matched the firearm. Based on the totality of the investigation, it was determined the interviews were consistent with the physical evidence, and the shooting has been ruled to be accidental.