Ind. Woman Allegedly Killed Man in Front of Girlfriend Because She Was Angry He Honked at Her: Police By Sean Neumann

Authorities allege a woman became so enraged when a driver behind her at a traffic light honked his horn that she followed him, then shot and killed him.

The fatal road rage incident occurred in broad daylight on Oct. 17 in west Indianapolis.

“The shooting occurred at approximately 2 p.m. and is alleged to have occurred after the victim honked at the defendant to alert them that a traffic signal had turned green,” a statement from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office read. “It’s further alleged the defendant followed the victim while yelling and throwing her hands at them before shooting into his vehicle, striking him in the chest.”

The victim, Kentrell Settles, was taken to Eskenazi Health in critical condition and later pronounced dead, according to the Indy Star. The newspaper reported that the bullet allegedly fired by the suspect, Deborah Benefiel, had struck the 21-year-old former basketball player in his lung and then the heart before becoming lodged in his chest.

Benefiel, 23, has since been charged with murder and criminal recklessness, the county prosecutor’s office said.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Settles’ death was “yet another tragic example of a simple dispute on our roadways turning deadly over what amounts to nothing.”

“A moment of anger should not cost someone their life,” Mears added, calling Settles’ killing “senseless violence.”

Settles’ father told Fox 59 his son was “loved by so many people” as he mourned his sudden death this week. “And so many people are going to miss him,” Kenneth Murff, the victim’s father added. “A precious life was taken for no reason.”

Fox 59 and the Indy Star reported that Benefiel was arrested shortly after the incident and identified by Settles’ girlfriend, who was in the car with her boyfriend at the time of the shooting. The Indy Star reported that Benefiel was taken into custody at a local gas station where authorities allegedly found her and her mother attempting to remove identifying stickers from the vehicle.

Benefiel’s initial court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 21.