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INDIANAPOLIS (Gray News) – Investigators in Indiana say a woman fatally shot a 21-year-old driver who honked at her while she was stopped at a green light. A murder charge was filed against Deborah Benefiel, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, for allegedly shooting and killing Kentrell Settles during an Oct. 17 road rage dispute. According to prosecutors, Settles honked his horn at Benefiel while she was stopped at a green traffic signal at the intersection of West 38th Street and Georgetown Road. Benefiel then followed Settles, yelled at him and eventually shot into his vehicle on Donald Avenue, Indianapolis law enforcement officials said. Settles was hit in the chest and taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Police said detectives tracked Benefiel down within only a few hours of the road rage shooting with help from technology that analyzes license plates across the city. “A moment of anger should not cost someone their life,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. The 23-year-old woman was in court on Tuesday for murder and criminal recklessness charges. Marion County court records show the judge ordered Benefiel to be held without bond. “We will continue to work together to hold those who commit senseless acts on our roadways accountable in the courtroom, but as a community, we must find ways to respond to conflicts with reasonableness, not violence,” Mears added. Another court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4.
