'Suspicious' vehicle call leads to deputy-involved shooting

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One person is dead and another is being questioned following an altercation that lead to a deputy-involved shooting overnight.

Sheriff Brad Steube with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says it all started at midnight when a deputy called in a suspicious vehicle that was parked in a Winn Dixie parking lot at the corner of 53rd Avenue W and 9th Street.

The deputy waited for a second deputy to arrive before the two of them approached the vehicle.

As they got closer a man got out of the passenger’s side, ignored the deputies’ commands and then reportedly became aggressive.

Investigators say a fight broke out and, after one of the deputies was hit in the head, they both pulled out their tasers to try and gain control of the situation.

The deputies said their attacker continued to resist and then pulled a gun, at which time one of them had to pull theirs and shoot.

The man was rushed to the hospital, but he did not survive. Officials have since identified him as Randy Smith. Deputies say they found what appears to be cocaine and heroin in his possession.

Detectives are now questioning a witness who was also in the car at the time.