FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A neighborhood dispute took a deadly turn Monday morning in St. Lucie County, leaving one man dead and another hospitalized in what investigators are currently eyeing as a potential case of self-defense.

The incident unfolded around 11 a.m. near 800 North Lake Circle. According to St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro Jr., the violence began as a verbal altercation between two men, both believed to be in their early 20s, at a local residence.

The confrontation escalated rapidly when the suspect allegedly produced a handgun and shot the victim in the upper chest and shoulder area, according to Sheriff Del Toro. Despite his injuries, the victim fled toward his own home, but was pursued by the armed suspect.

The chase ended in a physical struggle on a nearby lawn, according to the sheriff.

“Kind of a wrestling match ensued where the gun exchanged hands,” Sheriff Del Toro told reporters during a press briefing at the scene. “The suspect was then fatally shot.”

Deputies arriving at the scene found both men lying in the grass. The suspected initial shooter was pronounced dead at the scene, while the original victim was transported to a local hospital. His injuries are currently believed to be non-life-threatening.

While the sequence of events suggests a self-defense scenario, Sheriff Del Toro emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages. Detectives are currently conducting a door-to-door canvas of the neighborhood, searching for witnesses and surveillance footage that may have captured the struggle.

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“It appears to be a self-defense type of case, but it’s very early right now,” Del Toro stated. “We have to talk to neighbors and look at video.”

As of Monday afternoon, the identity of the deceased and the relationship between the two men remain unknown. Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information, or those who may have captured the incident on home security cameras to come forward.

“If they heard something, if they saw something, please contact us,” Del Toro said. “The dispatchers will determine what’s a priority to respond to, but anybody with information would be a big help to us in this case.”