32-year-old man killed in road rage shooting in Parrish. Cops say it was self defense.

A Saturday evening road rage incident turned into a deadly shootout on Buckeye Road, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 5:15 p.m., a 26-year-old man was reportedly run off the road while traveling eastbound near 14000 Buckeye Road by a 32-year-old driver who was traveling westbound, swerving in and out of his lane, a news release said.

The 26-year-old pulled back around to the 32-year-old’s vehicle, which had been pulled over on the side of the road, according to a report. Deputies say the two men began arguing when the 26-year-old pulled out a pistol, pointed it and asked the man to back away from his vehicle.

The 32-year-old then brandished his own firearm. As he began to aim it, the 26-year-old fired his weapon, striking the 32-year-old. The sheriff’s office said the shooter then relocated to the east side of U.S. 301, called 911 and waited for the deputies to arrive.

The 32-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

The incident is being investigated as a justifiable act of self defense, the sheriff’s office announced Sunday.

“Evidence collected at the scene and information gathered indicates the shooter was a victim of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon prior to the shooting,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.

Names of those involved will not been released under the protection of Florida’s Marsy’s Law.

The sheriff’s office first tweeted about the shooting around 6:20 p.m., indicating that it may have been a road rage incident.

An extended portion of Buckeye Road was closed from Carter Road to U.S. 301, according to the sheriff’s office.

This story was originally published April 20, 2019 at 6:28 PM.