A Texas State Representative said he called ICE on protesters at the state capital Monday and then allegedly threatened to shoot another lawmaker during a chaotic scene on the House floor.

Texas Republican Matt Rinaldi said he only threatened to shoot Democrat Poncho Nevarez because Nevarez threatened his own life before that.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the gallery of the Texas State Capital in Austin on Monday to protest Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), aimed at 'sanctuary cities'.

The protesters held signs and chanted, though house rules do not allow support or opposition to be shown from the gallery, according to the Texas Observer.

Texas Republican Matt Rinaldi, left, said he called ICE on protesters in the Texas State Capital Monday, then he allegedly threatened to shoot Democrat Poncho Nevarez, right. Rinaldi later claimed he threatened Nevarez because Nevarez threatened him first

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the gallery of the Texas State Capital in Austin on Monday to protest Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), aimed at 'sanctuary cities'

The protesters wore red shirts and carried signs as they chanted and marched through the state capital building

Representative Ramon Romero Jr, left, a Democrat, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Representative Cesar Blanco, right, when Rinaldi came over and said: 'This is BS. That's why I called ICE.' Blanco and Rinaldi then got into a bit of a scuffle

State House leadership stopped the session and asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests.

But even after the protest ended, tensions remained high. Representative Ramon Romero Jr, a Democrat, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Representative Cesar Blanco when Rinaldi came over and said: 'This is BS. That's why I called ICE.'

The Texas Observer reports that Romero told them he said: 'F*** them, I called ICE.'

Rinaldi and Blanco then began shouting at each other. A scuffle nearly ensued before other lawmakers separated the two.

Later, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to 'put a bullet in the head' of Nevarez on the House floor during a second near scuffle.

After the scuffle on the House floor, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to 'put a bullet in the head' of Nevarez, pictured speaking

Protesters marched in the Texas State Capital in Austin on Monday to oppose the SB 4 bill, which the governor just signed into law

Texas' new law requires police chiefs and sheriffs - under the threat of jail and removal from office - to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation. Those who oppose the law are pictured on the south steps of the state capital

Police also can ask the immigration status of anyone they stop. The bill was viewed as a crackdown on Austin and other 'sanctuary cities,' a term that has no legal meaning but describes parts of the country where police are not tasked with helping enforce federal immigration law. Protesters are pictured inside the state capital

In a subsequent Facebook statement, Rinaldi admitted saying he'd called federal authorities and threatened to shoot Nevarez - but said his life was in danger, not the other way around.

'Today, Representative Poncho Nevarez threatened my life on the House floor after I called ICE on several illegal immigrants who held signs in the gallery which said "I am illegal and here to stay,"' Rinaldi wrote on Facebook Monday.

'Several Democrats encouraged the protestors to disobey law enforcement. When I told the Democrats I called ICE, Representative Ramon Romero physically assaulted me, and other Democrats were held back by colleagues.

'During that time Poncho told me that he would "get me on the way to my car." He later approached me and reiterated that "I had to leave at some point, and he would get me." I made it clear that if he attempted to, in his words, "get me," I would shoot him in self defense.

'I am currently under DPS protection. Several of my colleagues heard the threats made and witnessed Ramon assaulting me.'

After Nevarez and other Democrats held a press conference, Rinaldi responded with this Facebook post

The protesters held signs and chanted, though house rules do not allow support or opposition to be shown from the gallery, so state House leadership stopped the session

House leadership asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests

Monday's protest was organized by activists who canvassed over Memorial Day weekend in Austin. They informed anxious immigrants about the rights they retain despite the law and urged grassroots resistance against it.

Texas' new law requires police chiefs and sheriffs - under the threat of jail and removal from office - to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation.

Police also can ask the immigration status of anyone they stop. The bill was viewed as a crackdown on Austin and other 'sanctuary cities,' a term that has no legal meaning but describes parts of the country where police are not tasked with helping enforce federal immigration law.

SB 4 is reminiscent of a 2010 Arizona 'show your papers' measure that allowed police to inquire about a person's immigration status during routine interactions such as traffic stops. It was eventually struck down in court.

A legislative session that began in January concluded Monday, and the day was supposed to be reserved for goofy group photos and sappy goodbyes. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from approving most legislation on the last day.

Mexicans who served in the United States Army in Vietnam and Iraq under the promise of becoming citizens and ended up as deportees take part in a protest while commemorating the Memorial Day, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico

A deported Mexican US Army vet holds an American flag while commemorating Memorial Day, in Ciudad Juarez on the border with El Paso, Texas

Monday's protest, pictured, was organized by activists who canvassed over Memorial Day weekend in Austin