Days after a 21-year-old man ended his life after he allegedly shot and killed a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy, new details revealed he was previously arrested in New York, records showed.
Steven David Rustrian was previously arrested in Roscoe, New York, and faced several charges, including reckless driving and possession of a forged or illegally obtained license, Colchester Police Department records showed.
According to an arrest report, on May 18, an officer who was conducting radar enforcement saw a vehicle going 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.
As the officer started following the vehicle, the driver turned off the vehicle’s headlights and taillights, the report said. The driver then made an abrupt lane change, which cut off a motorist.
When the officer activated their cruiser’s lights, the report said, the driver continued and failed to stop at stop signs on the road.
At one point, the driver made their way onto a dirt road that had multiple large rocks and uneven terrain, the report said.
When the officer was approaching the roadway, the report said, they saw a large plume of smoke and smelled an odor that matched the smell of burning oil. The officer then found the vehicle parked in a flower bed and saw several people outside.
The report said the officer asked who was driving the vehicle, and several people named Rustrian. One person told the officer that Rustrian had just arrived and did not know him.
Rustrian, the report said, was standing with the other and avoided contact, but when he was questioned, he admitted that he was the driver and said he fled because he didn’t want to get a speeding ticket.
He said he also knew that his New York State driver’s license was suspended, the report said.
When his license was checked, the report said, it confirmed that Rustrian’s license was suspended and had two active suspensions in Suffolk County for failure to answer.
Rustrian was then arrested, his vehicle was towed, and he was issued multiple uniform traffic tickets, the report said.
Records also showed that Rustrian had a home in Shirley, New York
Months after his arrest in New York, Rustrian was accused of killing Deputy Devin Jaramillo, 27, on Friday in the area of the 12200 block of Southwest 128th Street.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Jaramillo responded to a traffic crash near 122nd Avenue and Southwest 128th Street and got into a verbal altercation with Rustrian.
As the two continued to argue, the confrontation became physical, and at one point, Rustrian was able to disarm Jaramillo and shot him several times with his weapon.
Video shows the struggle between Jaramillo and Rustrian.
MDSO said Rustrian got back into his car and fatally shot himself.
Bystanders in the area called 911, and deputies performed first aid on Jaramillo and took him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police records showed that there was a second person at the scene who was detained but then released.
NBC6 spoke exclusively to a close friend of Rustrian, who spoke to him before the shooting.
The friend, who wanted to be referred to as Isaac, said Rustrian was ex-military and suffered from mental health issues.
Isaac said he believes Rustrian called the second person to come in his moment of distress.
NBC6 has not confirmed the identity of the second person.
On Sunday, patches, candles, flowers and even a Bible lay on the ground where Jaramillo was shot and killed.
Pastor Damon Phillips with Pure Heart Christian Center was there when the fight began.
“Shots were fired and I turned around to look at what was going on, and when I looked up, I saw the officer who was holding his hands and running towards the street,” Phillips said.
He said all he could do was lie down with Jaramillo and pray over him
“I was just praying to the lord, ‘please save him, please save him,’” he said.
The outpouring of support continued as officers with several agencies paid their respect.
“I’ve seen this too many times,” said JC Prellezo, a retired deputy. “It comes with the territory”
Prellezo didn’t know Jaramillo personally, but worked with his father, who also worked in law enforcement
“Great man, great family,” he said. “I can’t imagine the hurt he has in his heart right now.”
Prellezo was asked to help and console any members of law enforcement during this time
“It’s something that officers and first responders never forget,” he said. “It tapers off, and you deal with life, and you function. But you never forget it. It just took me back to all the partners I lost during my career.”
A young deputy is now being remembered for his courage and commitment to the community.
NBC6 is working to learn about any funeral arrangements for the fallen deputy.
The investigation into the shooting remains active.
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