SARASOTA — The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the officer involved shooting that occurred at 9:33 p.m., Monday night in north Sarasota. According to an SCSO release, Dep. Adam Shaw conducted a traffic stop of a white Jeep SUV occupied by two male subjects near Washington Court and 29th Street. Sgt. Troy Sasse arrived on the scene as backup. Shaw approached the driver’s side door from the rear of the vehicle and ordered the driver to put the Jeep in park as Sasse approached from the front driver’s side. After initially complying with commands, the driver abruptly replied, “No,” shifted the vehicle into drive and accelerated in the direction of Sasse.

Fearing he would be struck by the vehicle, Sasse discharged his duty weapon two times. Shaw, concerned Sasse would be struck by the vehicle, also fired his weapon twice in direction of the Jeep. The Jeep traveled south on Washington Boulevard when the driver apparently succumbed to injuries sustained in the shooting. The vehicle left the roadway, struck several cars in the parking lot of 2530 Washington Blvd., and came to rest when it hit a cement barrier. The passenger fled the scene foot and has not been located at this time. The driver has been identified as Rodney G. Mitchell, 23, of the 4900 block of 26th Street East, Bradenton. Both deputies are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Wendy Rose, which is routine.