No Homicide Charges for Arizona Man Who Fatally Shot Father in Road Rage Confrontation as Children Watched

TEMPE, ARIZONA — July 22, 2025 — A deadly confrontation stemming from a road rage incident on a busy Tempe roadway has ignited community outrage and national debate, after a grand jury declined to indict the man who fatally shot a father in front of his two young sons. Prosecutors confirmed that 46-year-old Justin Jackson will not face homicide or weapons-related charges in the shooting death of 29-year-old Steven Bevan, who was killed in broad daylight during a confrontation between the two drivers.

The incident occurred on July 1, around noon, and was captured partially on video by Bevan’s children, who were sitting in the back seat of his Dodge Challenger when the fatal encounter unfolded. The case has raised difficult questions about Arizona’s self-defense laws, the role of escalating tempers on public roadways, and the emotional trauma inflicted on young children who witness violence up close.

According to investigative documents reviewed by local authorities, the encounter began when Jackson, who was driving a GMC Sierra pickup truck with his six-year-old daughter in the vehicle, grew angry after Bevan failed to proceed at a green left-turn arrow. Jackson eventually turned at the next signal, but as both vehicles continued, tensions escalated.

Authorities say Bevan swerved into Jackson’s lane and brake-checked him—a sudden and deliberate maneuver meant to express frustration. He then brought his vehicle to a full stop near the intersection and exited his car. At that point, witnesses say the 29-year-old father approached Jackson’s truck on foot while yelling and gesturing with his hands raised.

Jackson later told police he feared for his safety. He admitted to drawing his firearm and displaying it through his windshield in a warning gesture. He said he fired his weapon after observing Bevan, just five feet away, reach one hand behind his back—a movement Jackson interpreted as a threat. Bevan was struck and died at the scene.

The fatal shooting unfolded with both men’s children present. Jackson’s daughter was seated beside him. Bevan’s nine- and eight-year-old sons witnessed the entire confrontation from their father’s backseat and reportedly recorded portions of it using a phone. Video footage, as well as Jackson’s account of the moments before the shooting, were key in persuading the grand jury that a reasonable person could have believed a firearm was being drawn, even though Bevan was found to be unarmed.

Legal experts weighed in, citing Arizona’s robust self-defense laws, which allow individuals to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger. The grand jury’s decision not to indict means Jackson will not be prosecuted for the shooting itself.

However, the legal saga does not end there. During a post-incident search of Jackson’s vehicle, law enforcement officers discovered a quantity of cocaine inside the glove box, as well as drug paraphernalia. Though Jackson avoided violent criminal charges, he was indicted on felony narcotics possession charges and is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks to answer for the drug offenses.

The shooting, and the decision not to charge Jackson with homicide, has stirred deep emotion across Arizona and beyond. Advocates for gun safety and justice reform argue the outcome illustrates a broader issue with how self-defense laws are applied, particularly in cases involving deadly force and unarmed individuals. Others have expressed sympathy for Jackson, pointing to the fear he may have felt when approached by an angry stranger during a volatile moment.

Meanwhile, the family of Steven Bevan is mourning a man described as a loving and devoted father. Relatives say he adored his children, loved cars and music, and worked hard to provide stability for his young family. His sons, now left to grapple with the loss of their father and the traumatic memory of his final moments, are receiving support from extended family and mental health professionals.

“He was a good man,” one relative said. “No one deserves to be shot down in the street. Especially not in front of his kids.”

Public opinion remains divided. Some community members believe Jackson reacted in genuine fear, while others feel his response was excessive and avoidable. The fact that Jackson had illegal drugs in his vehicle at the time of the incident has further fueled debate about judgment, character, and accountability.

The Tempe Police Department has closed the homicide portion of the case but continues to assist in proceedings related to the narcotics indictment. Prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges may be considered.

As the legal process moves forward, two families remain forever altered: one left grieving a father gone too soon, and another left to reckon with the emotional and legal consequences of a fatal decision made in seconds.