21-year-old shot dead after honking at driver at intersection, Indiana cops say

A woman has been charged in the road-rage killing of a 21-year-old man who Indiana authorities say honked at her as her vehicle was stopped.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Deborah Benefiel’s vehicle had been stopped during a “short traffic delay” Oct. 17 at an Indianapolis intersection.

The 21-year-old driver honked at Benefiel, then passed her vehicle, police said. Benefiel, according to the investigators, followed the driver.

The victim’s girlfriend told investigators Benefiel was “yelling, screaming and throwing her hands around” as she followed him, WRTV reported, citing an affidavit.

Benefiel, 23, is then accused of firing at least one shot from her vehicle, striking the man, before fleeing the scene, police said.

He was shot in the chest, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WTHR.

Police said the victim, whose name has not been publicly released, died after being taken to a hospital.

Benefiel was identified as the accused shooter within a few hours when detectives utilized license plate reader technology on her vehicle, investigators said.

A witness also identified Benefiel as the shooter in a photo lineup, WRTV reported, and she was taken into custody the same day of the shooting.

“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,” Police Chief Chris Bailey said in a statement.

Benefiel is now charged with murder and criminal recklessness, court records show.

This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM with the headline "21-year-old shot dead after honking at driver at intersection, Indiana cops say."