Furious woman shot man dead for honking at her when traffic light turned green, prosecutors say

An Indiana woman was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a 21-year-old driver who honked at her while she was stopped at a green light.

Authorities said Deborah Benefiel became enraged when Kenntrell Settles laid on his horn and sped past her on an Indianapolis roadway.

‘During their investigation, detectives determined that the victim was shot after he honked his horn and drove around a stopped car during a short traffic delay near the intersection of W. 38th Street and Georgetown Road,’ wrote Indianapolis Police in a statement.

The 23-year-old woman followed Settles down the road, yelling and throwing her hands at him.

She then allegedly fired at least one shot into his car. The bullet hit him in the chest, according to a statement from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Indy Star reported that Benefiel’s bullet struck the victim’s lung and heart before becoming lodged in his chest.

Settles’ girlfriend when in the passenger seat when the altercation happened.

Benefiel immediately fled the scene, according to The Independent.

Settles was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

Deborah Benefiel was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing a 21-year-old driver who honked at her at a green light

The fatal road rage incident happened on the afternoon of October 17

Benefiel has since been charged with murder and criminal recklessness.

Police tracked her down within hours of the fatal road rage incident using citywide license plate scanning technology.

She and her mother were reportedly found at a local gas station with two other people.

One of them was seen attempting to scrape identifiable stickers off of Benefiel’s car and throwing them in the trash.

Settles’ girlfriend assisted police in identifying the suspect.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement, ‘This case is 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.

‘This kind of senseless violence is something prosecutors are seeing far too often. We will continue to work together to hold those who commit senseless acts on our roadways accountable in the courtroom.’

Benefiel appeared in court on October 21. Court records obtained by WCAX showed that the judge ordered the woman to be held without bond.

Kenntrell Settles was allegedly shot in the chest. He was transported to an Indianapolis hospital and pronounced dead

Law enforcement obtained search warrants for the suspect’s vehicle and home where a second firearm was found.

‘The senseless death of this victim is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly anger and violence can destroy lives and families,’ said Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey.

‘I am proud of the dedicated work of our officers, analysts, and detectives who jumped into action, using technology and strong investigative work to identify and arrest the individual responsible,’ he continued.

‘Their hard work sends a clear message. Violence like this has no place in our city,’

City officials reported that this was the 69th murder case filed in Marion County this year.

Benefiel’s next hearing is scheduled for November 4.