Search Results for: attempted murder

Indiana woman charged with murder in road rage shooting

Indiana woman charged with murder in road rage shooting

Indiana woman charged with murder in road rage shooting

Indianapolis, IN – A 23-year-old woman has been charged with murder following a road rage incident that led to the shooting death of a 21-year-old man. Deborah Benefiel faces charges of murder and criminal recklessness in the shooting of Kentrell Settles on Friday.

The incident occurred at the intersection of West 38th Street and Georgetown Road. Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of gunfire and found Settles inside a Chevrolet Malibu suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to a probable cause affidavit, detectives found evidence of a single gunshot in the rear passenger side window of the Malibu, along with a BB gun under the driver’s seat. Settles’ girlfriend, who was in the car at the time of the shooting, stated that they were stopped at a red light when Settles honked the horn after the vehicle in front did not move when the light turned green.

Witnesses reported that Benefiel, driving a Ford SUV, followed the couple while yelling and gesturing. As Settles attempted to turn into a nearby plaza, Benefiel allegedly fired one shot into the Malibu. Settles’ girlfriend drove them the rest of the way to her parents’ house after the incident.

Police were able to identify Benefiel’s vehicle through license plate readers and observed her removing stickers from the SUV before her arrest. Upon being taken into custody, Benefiel informed an officer that the gun was located in a bag at her apartment. Authorities later found a .40-caliber Glock handgun in a purse.

An autopsy confirmed that Settles died from a gunshot wound that entered his back, causing significant damage to his lung and heart. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Benefiel has not provided a statement to detectives following her arrest. She remains in the Marion County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears stated that this incident highlights the dangers of escalating conflicts on roadways.

New York Woman claims self-defense in murder of ex-boyfriend’s new partner after traveling to Florida

New york woman claims self-defense in murder of ex-boyfriend's new partner after traveling to florida

Woman claims self-defense in murder of ex-boyfriend’s new partner

TAMARAC, FL – A woman accused of traveling from New York to Florida to murder her ex-boyfriend’s new partner took the stand in her defense on Monday. Sakiyna Thompson, 31, is currently on trial for the murder of 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson, who was allegedly stabbed multiple times.

Thompson asserts that she acted in self-defense when she killed Hodgson at the victim’s apartment on July 13, 2022. According to reports, she claimed she intended to have a “woman-to-woman” conversation with Hodgson when the pair confronted each other.

During her testimony, Thompson acknowledged that she killed Hodgson but maintained it was an act of self-defense. “I killed her because she took the glass from the hookah and slashed me across the stomach,” Thompson told jurors.

Thompson indicated she blacked out and did not recall the attack sequence after the initial confrontation. She alleged that upon regaining her senses, she found herself holding the murder weapon and discovered Hodgson on the floor.

Following the incident, Thompson reportedly changed into Hodgson’s clothes and attempted to clean the scene before fleeing. “I was walking in the blood,” she stated.

Feeling afraid, Thompson did not contact authorities and returned to New York. She was arrested on August 3, 2022, and extradited to Florida where she faces a charge of first-degree murder.

Closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense were expected to take place Tuesday. Hodgson’s family established a GoFundMe account after her death, describing her as a beloved daughter and friend to many.

The trial will determine if Thompson’s claim of self-defense holds weight in the eyes of the law.

Bronx man charged with multiple murders, home invasion

Nypd police line, crime scene.

Bronx man charged with multiple murders, home invasion

QUEENS, NY — A Bronx man has been arraigned on charges stemming from the violent home invasion and murder of a couple in Bellerose. Jamel McGriff, 42, faces serious allegations including 13 counts of first-degree murder, among other offenses.

On Monday morning, September 8, McGriff is accused of forcibly entering the home of Frank and Maureen Olton. He allegedly killed the couple and set their house on fire.

According to the District Attorney’s office, McGriff attempted to transfer money from the victims’ bank account before fleeing the scene. “He made multiple attempts to transfer money from their bank account, murdered them, and set the house ablaze,” District Attorney Melinda Katz stated.

McGriff is also charged with two counts of second-degree murder and numerous other crimes such as kidnapping and arson. He faces a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder presided over the arraignment and set McGriff’s return date for November 12. During the afternoon of September 8, he was seen leaving the Oltons’ residence carrying a duffel bag shortly before authorities were alerted to a fire at the location.

Firefighters discovered both victims deceased inside the home. They found Frank Olton, 76, in the basement and Maureen Olton, 77, in the living room.

After the alleged crime, McGriff reportedly used Frank Olton’s credit card for purchases totaling $796.10 at Macy’s later that day. He also disposed of the Oltons’ cell phones at a Bronx check cashing store the following morning.

The New York Police Department apprehended McGriff on Tuesday, September 10, in midtown Manhattan. Senior Assistant District Attorney John Esposito is handling the prosecution of the case.

This shocking case reveals gruesome details of a brutal crime that has shaken the community.

Man charged with murder after high school parking lot shooting

Shell casings

Man charged with murder after high school parking lot shooting

FRISCO, TX – Jason Bartik, a 45-year-old man, has been charged with murder following a shooting incident that resulted in the death of 34-year-old Robert Taylor. The shooting occurred Thursday night in the parking lot of Frisco High School, which is located across the street from the police station.

Police responded to a 911 call about the shooting at approximately 8:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found Taylor lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to an arrest affidavit, Bartik made the 911 call reporting the incident, claiming it stemmed from a road rage altercation. He told police that Taylor was tailgating him while they were driving on the highway, prompting Bartik to brake-check him.

Bartik drove into the school parking lot and stated that Taylor followed him. Upon exiting his vehicle, Taylor allegedly approached Bartik’s driver side window and “punched [Bartik] in the face,” according to Bartik’s account.

The affidavit details that Bartik then retrieved a handgun and fired at least two shots at Taylor. First responders found Taylor face down on the ground, and lifesaving efforts were attempted but he did not survive.

Bartik was taken into custody at the scene and subsequently charged with murder after an investigation. Law enforcement confirmed that no students were involved in the incident.

Bartik remains in custody at Collin County Jail with a bond set at $750,000.

A road rage dispute escalated into tragedy as a young man lost his life in a school parking lot.

Illegal Alien indicted for murder after driving SUV into 16-year-old girl and her monther

Illegal alien indicted for murder after driving suv into 16-year-old girl and her monther

Man indicted for murder after driving SUV into 16-year-old girl in Elmhurst

QUEENS, NY – Edwin Cruz Gomez was indicted on multiple charges including second-degree murder and attempted murder after a fatal incident involving a 16-year-old girl on Roosevelt Avenue. The charges stem from an event in which Gomez intentionally drove his vehicle into the victim and her family.

District Attorney Melinda Katz reported details of the case, stating that Gomez had sexually propositioned Jhoanny Saray Gomez-Alvarez and her mother shortly before the collision. “As alleged, the defendant crudely propositioned 16-year-old Jhoanny Saray Gomez-Alvarez and her mother for sex,” Katz noted.

Cruz Gomez, 38, was arraigned on a 15-count indictment that includes three counts of murder in the second degree, three counts of attempted murder, and aggravated vehicular homicide among other charges. He is currently remanded until his next court appearance on December 2, facing a potential sentence of up to 27 1/3 years to life in prison.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 13, at approximately 4:10 a.m., near the Prima Donna Restaurant. Following a confrontation with the victim’s stepfather, Gomez allegedly entered his vehicle and drove onto the sidewalk, targeting the family. The vehicle struck Gomez-Alvarez, killing her, and injured her mother.

Emergency responders confirmed that the 16-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother was subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the collision.

Gomez attempted to evade capture by reporting an assault to NYPD officers nearby. He led them back to the collision location where he had abandoned his vehicle.

A breath analysis conducted after the incident determined Gomez’s blood alcohol content was between .18 and .21 percent. The investigation was conducted by Detective Timothy Ziegler of the NYPD’s 110th Detective Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Gabriel J. Reale is leading the prosecution in the case, with the support of other assistant district attorneys under the supervision of the Homicide Bureau.

A man is facing serious charges for allegedly driving his SUV into a teenager, resulting in tragedy on a Queens street.