Manatee Road Rage Shooting Ruled Self Defense

BRADENTON, FL -- The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has determined that Saturday's fatal road rage shooting was a case of justifiable self defense.

"Evidence collected at the scene and information gathered, indicates the shooter was a victim of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon prior to the shooting," said the agency's Randy Warren on Sunday.

Warren said the sheriff's office is treating both drivers as victims under Marsy's Law and will not release their names.

The incident happened around 5:15 p.m. as a 32-year-old driver, who was swerving in and out of his lane, ran a 26-year-old motorist off the road. The older driver stopped his own vehicle along Buckeye Road near U.S. 301 as the younger driver circled back.

Warren said both motorists exchanged a few words before the older driver began arguing and leaning into the open window of the second driver, who pulled out a handgun.

"He pointed it at [the other driver] and told him to back away," said Warren. The 32-year-old driver of the first car pulled out his own weapon and began to level it at the younger driver, who fired first.

The man who opened fire called 9-1-1 and remained on the scene. The 32-year-old driver was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency medical personnel, Warren added.