Details are still developing in this story, from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

... The feud began shortly before 11:20 a.m. when Figueroa's gold Chrysler sedan rear-ended Thompson's white GMC van. The accident happened somewhere along northbound Dixie Highway between East Oakland Park Boulevard and Northeast 34th Court, said sheriff's spokesman Mike Jachles.

The drivers stopped and Thompson walked over to talk with Figueroa, Jachles said. The two began to argue about what investigators called "a mere scratch" on the Chrysler's front bumper.

Witnesses told detectives that Thompson reached into his van and pulled out the gun after Figueroa attacked him.

State records show Thompson has a valid concealed weapons permit.

"Thompson obviously feared for his life," Jachles said. "It appears that this was a case of self defense."

Public records list Thompson as the owner of Delta Security Systems. Two attempts to reach the company by phone on Thursday were unsuccessful. No one answered phone calls at his home.

Thompson was sentenced to a year's probation and fined on cocaine possession charges in 1999, state records show. He received the same sentence on the same charges in 2001.

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NewsWatch will update as new information is reported.