A candidate forum for Tampas District 5 City Council seat turned tense Thursday night when a former candidate pulled out a gun during a confrontation that he says began over political criticism.

Elvis Piggott, a pastor and former candidate for the open District 5 seat, said he pulled the weapon in self-defense after being confronted by family members of candidate Naya Young following the forum at the Tampa Heights Community Center. The forum featured Young and Thomas Scott, who are facing each other in the District 5 special runoff election to fill the seat left vacant after Council Member Gwen Hendersons death in June.

Watch full report from Erik Waxler

Piggott, who has publicly supported Scott, said he has been vocal in his criticism of Young throughout the race. He told Tampa Bay 28

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