Manatee sheriff: Gunman flees after pistol malfunction

MANATEE -- A malfunctioning pistol may have saved the life of a victim Saturday night.

A male carrying a black semi-automatic pistol approached a victim outside a residence in the 800 block of 66th Avenue West about 9:24 p.m., according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect pointed the pistol at the victim, demanded that he be quiet and go inside the residence, the sheriff's office reported.

The suspect pulled the trigger on his gun, but it failed to discharge. The suspect advanced on the victim and struck him in the face with his pistol just inside the threshold of the door. As the suspect tried to clear his gun of the malfunction, the victim armed himself and fired one shot at the suspect. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction, the sheriff's office reported.

The suspect was described as 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9, 180-200 pounds, wearing a dark hooded sweat shirt with a logo on the front, and dark pants.

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 5:54 AM with the headline "Manatee sheriff: Gunman flees after pistol malfunction."