Derek Flemming, the 43-year-old man killed Tuesday afternoon near Howell, was shot in the face after approaching another driver about an incident on the road, officials said Thursday.

Livingston County Prosecutor William Vailliencourt offered more details of the altercation in a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Martin Edward Zale, 69, was arraigned Thursday on an open murder charge for allegedly shooting Flemming. Zale is also charged with two counts of felony firearms and discharge of a weapon from a vehicle.

He could face up to life in prison.

William Moore, a lawyer for Flemming's widow, Amy, said that the family is satisfied with the charges being brought against Zale.

"The family is entirely pleased [with the charges]," Moore said. "They believe they are appropriate."

Vailliencourt offered an official account of the incident, which occurred around 3:35 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Chilson Road in Genoa Township.

“After a traffic altercation with another driver, Mr. Flemming was shot and killed by a single gunshot to the face as their vehicles were stopped on Grand River Avenue. Police subsequently arrested the other driver at the scene,” Vailliencourt said.

According to media reports, when both vehicles stopped at Chilson Road, Flemming got out of his vehicle and approached Zale's pickup. Zale then rolled down his window and shot Flemming, police have said.

Vailliencourt said Zale had a concealed pistol permit for the pistol he allegedly used in the shooting.

An investigation by the Livingtson County sheriff’s department included getting accounts of about a dozen witnesses.

“The citizen involvement in this case was tremendous,” Vailliencourt said.

Based on the Livingston County Sheriff's Office investigation, "there was some ongoing incident" between the two drivers, Vailliencourt said. "Again, who did what to whom, that's a matter we'll have to wait and see how the evidence plays out in court."

Flemming and his wife, Amy, were eastbound on Grand River Avenue in Genoa Township when Zale’s pickup truck was speeding down a side street. The pickup cut off the Flemmings’ vehicle multiple times, including cutting to the left and braking when Flemming tried to pass it, according to reports.

When both vehicles stopped at Chilson Road, Flemming, who did not have a weapon, according to Vailliencourt, got out of his vehicle and approached Zale’s pickup. The report stated Zale rolled down his window and shot Flemming.

Vailliencourt said that this case has nothing to do with gun rights.

"This is not a case about guns or CPL holders," he said. "I fully support the right of individuals to keep and possess firearms...but it's when they misuse those weapons that it becomes the problem."

Vailliencourt said the ongoing investigation will determine whether Zale was acting within his rights.

"The law is specific that you have to have an honest and reasonable belief that you are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm," Vailliencourt said. "You can't just shoot somebody because you're not happy with them."

Zale is being held without bond, under order of the magistrate.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Zale at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Ian Thibodeau is an intern reporter for The Ann Arbor News. He can be reached at ithibode@mlive.com, or follow him on Twitter.