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MIAMI (CBSMiami) — A police stand off shut down the Florida Turnpike Thursday afternoon, fortunately coming to a peaceful end.

Shortly before rush hour, the Florida Turnpike north of exit two was completely shut down – both north and south bound lanes.

The traffic backed up for miles.

Even drivers existing early, would only find more stop and go conditions.

While most drivers probably assumed it was an accident, police said they were following a man who’d threatened his family.

“One of our officers notice that the male subject was armed with a firearm to his head and continued to follow him southbound on the turnpike,” said Miami Dade police spokesperson Marjorie Eloi.

Once police got the man to stop, they cleared the turnpike of any drivers in the area.

“One of the officers, who is also a hostage negotiator, was able to make contact with him and where he came to a stop just before exit 1 on the turnpike,” Eloi said.

The next steps for police: a slow and deliberate negotiation.

“For several hours our hostage negotiator spoke with the gentleman pleaded with him to end this peacefully,” Eloi said.

Troy Sibilia, 45, would eventually put his gun down and surrender to police.