A 46-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following a fatal road-rage incident in Tempe, Arizona, that unfolded in broad daylight while young children were present in both vehicles involved.
Dustin Jackson, a former Marine, is accused of fatally shooting Steven Bevan, 29, after a heated encounter at a traffic light along Warner Road around noon on July 1, according to court documents and Phoenix-based outlet KTVK.
The incident began when Jackson, driving a GMC Sierra pickup truck with his 6-year-old daughter, allegedly honked his horn after Bevan, driving a Dodge Challenger with his 9- and 8-year-old sons, failed to move when the traffic light turned green.
Moments later, police say Bevan swerved in front of Jackson’s vehicle and stopped abruptly. Witnesses reported that Bevan then exited his car and approached Jackson’s truck, yelling.
According to investigators, Jackson opened his truck door and fired a single gunshot, striking Bevan in the chest. Authorities confirmed that Bevan was unarmed, and no weapons were found in his vehicle. Bevan’s sons reportedly witnessed the incident, with one of them recording the confrontation on a cell phone, capturing the moment their father approached Jackson’s truck and placed his hand on the door.
The video reportedly captures the sound of the gunshot, followed by cries for help, including, “Call 911” and “Who shot my dad?”
Bevan, described as standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Jackson, who stands 6 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs roughly 300 pounds, told police he acted in self-defense, claiming he feared for his life and that of his young daughter. However, authorities later discovered cocaine in Jackson’s glove compartment, according to reports.
None of the children were physically harmed during the incident.
Jackson has been charged with first-degree murder and drive-by shooting. He is currently being held at the local jail on a $1 million bond.
The investigation remains ongoing.
