Man Shot, Killed By Deputy Identified: Sarasota County Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Investigators have identified the man shot and killed by a deputy early Tuesday morning at Michael Bajorek, 32, according to a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Bajorek led deputies who tried to pull him over on a low-speed car chase from the area of South Tamiami Trail and Phillippi Street to Shade Avenue near Rose Street around 12:30 a.m.

Deputies tried to stop him using the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver.

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As the car came to a rest, a deputy exited the marked patrol vehicle and approached the suspect’s car on foot. Bajorek suddenly drove at the deputy, pinning him against the patrol vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

The deputy, who hasn’t been named, injured his leg and wrist and was brought to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Bajorek continued driving north on Shade Avenue, turning west on Webber Street and, ultimately, onto Lime Avenue. Believing he was stopping, deputies left their vehicles to conduct a felony traffic stop, SCSO said.

As he drove at the deputies, one shot at him, hitting him with a bullet. The deputy who shot him hasn’t been named.

After Bajorek was shot, his car continued across Webber Street and came to a rest against a tree behind a home nearby.

Deputies pulled him from his car and, along with members of the Sarasota County Fire Department, attempted life-saving measures on him. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.

The incident is under investigation.