Car Troubles Prompted Road Rage Shooting, Deputies Say

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Monday evening road rage incident that resulted in a 59-year-old man getting shot.

According to the sheriff’s office, Roger Atlas was south on South Tamiami Trail around 6:15 p.m. when he began to experience vehicle issues. Atlas was in the outside lane at the time and his vehicle began jerking, an arrest report stated. When Atlas stopped at the Ivanhoe Street red light, he spotted a man on a motorcycle. That man, the report said, pulled up to Atlas’ window and began a dispute about his driving.

Atlas, the report said, told the man he was having car issues. When the light turned green, Atlas proceeded with the motorcycle behind him. The motorcycle, Atlas told deputies, followed him, despite numerous lane changes. Atlas stopped at the Sunoco at 5805 S. Tamiami Trail to grab a beverage and noticed the motorcycle’s driver pull in, as well, the report said.

Atlas told deputies he approached the motorcycle’s rider and asked why he was following him. A fight between the two men broke out, during which the motorcycle’s rider is accused of pulling out a semi-automatic handgun. The gun was pointed at Atlas’ chest, the arrest report states.

Atlas grabbed the gun’s barrel and moved it away from his chest.

“During the struggle, the subject discharged the firearm and Atlas was struck once in the lower left abdomen,” the arrest report stated.

After the shooting, the motorcycle’s rider ran into the store, said he shot someone and asked for 911 to be called, the report stated.

Christian Gunter, 22, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm.

Atlas is recovering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said.

Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office