Man fatally shot by law enforcement during arrest attempt for alleged sex crime against minor 

A 42-year-old man was fatally shot by members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) in the Sunny Hills community early Saturday morning on April 27 during an attempted arrest for a sex crime charge involving a minor, WCSO said in a news release.

At 7:09 a.m. on Saturday, deputies were attempting to execute an out-of-county arrest warrant on Brian James Propes for allegedly possessing or intentionally viewing a sexual performance by a child. The attempt took them to a residence on Salem Drive. 

“Deputies made contact with a family member and were advised that Propes was in a bedroom in the rear of the home. Family members led deputies to the rear bedroom, where Propes was located,” the news release said. “Deputies then made contact with Propes and advised him there was a warrant for his arrest and attempted to take him into custody. Propes began to fight with deputies and produced a firearm.”

Propes reportedly pointed the firearm at deputies, after which deputies were said to have “engaged the suspect.”

“Shots were fired and the suspect was shot,” the news release said. “Washington County EMS was dispatched to the scene. Deputies immediately rendered aid to Mr. Propes who later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Deputies have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol in such incidents. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been contacted and will be the lead investigative agency from this point forward, according to WCSO.