Motorist shot in road rage case in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- A man is facing charges after deputies say a case of road rage prompted him to pull out a gun and shoot the other driver, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

At about 6:10 p.m. Monday, Christian Gunter, 23, was driving his motorcycle south on U.S. 41, just south of Bee Ridge Road, when he got confrontational with the 59-year-old victim, according to an arrest report. The victim told deputies that his red Ford Taurus had started jerking because it was overheating.

The victim told deputies that when he was stopped at the red light at the intersection with Ivanhoe Street, Gunter pulled alongside him and confronted him about his driving. The victim reportedly explained he was having car troubles and that it was none of his business, according to the sheriff's office.

After the light turned green, the victim said Gunter began following him despite how many time he changed lanes, the report states. The victim then stopped to get a drink at the Sunoco gas station, 5808 U.S. 41 S. and noticed that Gunter stopped as well.

The victim approached Gunter and confronted him about following him. During the argument, the victim said Gunter pulled a handgun and pointed it as his chest. The victim then grabbed the barrel to move it away from the direction of his chest, a struggled ensued and the gun went off hitting the victim in the stomach, according to the sheriff's office.

The shooting was seen by witnesses and captured on the Sunoco's video surveillance, deputies said. The victim got in his car and drove to the other side of the parking lot while Gunter ran inside the convenience store.

The victim was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to be treated for his non-life threatening injuries.

Gunter was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a firearm. He is being held without bond at the Sarasota County jail.

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Motorist shot in road rage case in Sarasota ."