TAMPA, Fla. -- Pastor and former Tampa city council candidate Elvis Piggott said he was defending himself Thursday when he pulled out a gun after being confronted by a man about 15 minutes after a District 5 forum ended.
"It was unexpected," he said. "I don't know the person. Never seen him a day in my life."
The incident happened at the Tampa Heights Civic Association, which hosted the candidate forum between Thomas Scott and Naya Young for the District 5 special municipal runoff election. Last month, Piggott, 37, left the race after winning less than 5% of the vote. He is currently endorsing Scott.
Piggott said about 15 minutes after the forum ended, a Young supporter confronted him aggressively about a Facebook live video he posted a day earlier stating Young needed more experience.
Piggott said the other man got "within kissing distance" and poked his forehead with a finger. In response, Piggott said he pulled out his gun in self defense.
"Never had an intent to point a gun to anybody," he said. "I don't know this person. I don't know what you about to do to me. My son's with me."
Witness Jason Marlow told Spectrum News partners at the Tampa Bay Times that when the gun came out there were 50 to 60 people in the room who went scrambling for the exit.
Just before 8 p.m., Tampa police officers responded to the scene and took Piggott into custody, but later released him without charges.
Piggott said police gave him his gun back when he was released.
Young posted on social media thanking people for attending the forum.
"My heart goes out to those who experienced this shocking and unprovoked act of violence and intimidation in the course of their civic participation," Young said. "The sanctity of our electoral process must always be held in the highest regard."
When Spectrum News asked the Scott campaign for a statement, a staffer said the campaign would release a response, but did not do so before deadline. Piggott said Scott called him after the incident to make sure he and his child were okay.
When asked if he regretted pulling out his gun in a public room full of people, Piggot said he would "let the attorneys deal with that part."
Former city council member Joseph Citro attended the event and said the gun incident, which he did not witness, should have never happened.
"This type of action is unnecessary," he said. "Anyone pulling out a weapon at this type of event is uncalled for."
Tampa police officials said the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and a decision had not been made on whether charges will be filed in connection with it.