Man Shot, Killed After Ramming Car Into Sarasota County Sheriff's Deputy

A man accused of leading Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase and ramming a deputy was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer who says the driver tried to run him over.

According to an official statement from Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull over Michael Bajorek as he was driving in the area of Phillippi St and S. Tamiami Trail around 12:31 a.m. on Oct. 10, but Bajorek didn’t comply and refused to pull over.

Deputies initiated a pit maneuver to immobilize the suspect’s vehicle, a 2009 gray Honda Civic. According to SCSO, after the suspect’s car came to a rest, a deputy exited the marked patrol vehicle and attempted to approach the suspect on foot. The suspect suddenly drove at the deputy, pinning the deputy between the suspect’s vehicle and the patrol vehicle. The deputy sustained leg and wrist injuries and was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Below is an excerpt from the sheriff’s official report on the moment when the suspect was shot.

“The suspect continued north on Shade Ave, turning west on Webber Street and ultimately onto Lime Avenue. Believing the suspect was stopping, deputies exited their vehicles to conduct a felony stop. The suspect then turned around and drove at them, causing a deputy to discharge their firearm, striking the suspect through the vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle continued across Webber and came to rest against a tree behind a nearby residence. Deputies quickly located the driver and attempted life-saving measures with the help of the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD); however, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other persons were injured, and this incident remains under investigation.”