Florida fugitive, in country illegally and wanted on murder charges, arrested in South MS
Harrison County sheriff’s deputies arrested an undocumented immigrant wanted in Florida on multiple counts of attempted murder, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
“This suspect was located early Monday morning in Mississippi after he shot two people and fled Florida,” Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. “My team is working with our State Attorney’s Office and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office to bring Roger De Le Cruz back to Lee County, where he will face the consequences of his heinous crime.”
Harrison County sheriff’s deputies arrested De Le Cruz during an encounter on Interstate 10 near Gulfport, according to the sheriff.
De Le Cruz is now jailed in Harrison County on an immigration hold for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In addition, he is jailed on a hold for two counts of attempted second-degree murder in Lee County, Florida. Lee County is in southwest Florida near Fort Myers.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, De Le Cruz fled Florida on Saturday after he allegedly shot and injured two people at Cypress West Apartments. Multiple witnesses identified De Le Cruz as the shooter.
Sheriff Marceno said both victims in the shooting had been shot multiple times, but are now in stable condition.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office thanked Harrison County sheriff’s deputies for making the arrest.
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM with the headline "Florida fugitive, in country illegally and wanted on murder charges, arrested in South MS."
