Nationwide — Kentrell Settles, a 21-year-old African American man from Indianapolis, Indiana, was shot and killed after honking his horn at another driver who was not moving at a green light. Police said the suspect, 23-year-old Deborah Benefiel, followed his car and fired a single fatal shot.
The incident happened near 38th Street and Georgetown Road. Settles was stopped behind Benefiel’s SUV at a red light. When the light turned green and she didn’t move, he honked. Prosecutors said Benefiel became enraged, followed him, and shot into his car’s back window.
According to Fox 59, the bullet hit Settles as he sat in the driver’s seat with his girlfriend beside him. Police arrived around 2 p.m. and found him bleeding inside the vehicle. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
“He’s loved by so many people and so many people are going to miss him and a precious life was taken for no reason,” said his father, Kenneth Murff. “He didn’t do anything wrong and for it to still happen, it troubles you as a father.”
Investigators used license plate readers to locate Benefiel’s SUV. She was arrested within hours and charged with murder and criminal recklessness. Police said she refused to talk after her arrest.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears called the shooting “beyond senseless,” saying Settles lost his life over a simple honk. Authorities reminded drivers to stay calm in traffic. “If someone honks their horn, it’s not the end of the world,” Mears said. “It should never lead to gun violence.”
Benefiel, who had no prior criminal record, remains in custody without bond while awaiting trial.