A road rage confrontation in central Phoenix ended in a fatal shooting that killed 54-year-old Stephen Guardino. The incident occurred just after 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of 7th and Missouri avenues when two SUVs — one driven by Guardino and the other by an unidentified woman — were seen driving erratically and competing for position. Both vehicles stopped at a traffic light and Guardino exited his vehicle and approached the woman’s SUV. A witness reported Guardino spit on the woman, who then fired a single shot from inside her car, striking him.

First responders found Guardino with a serious gunshot wound and he was taken to a nearby hospital in extremely critical condition; he later died. Phoenix police interviewed the woman at the scene and released her pending further investigation. Detectives are collecting evidence and seeking surveillance footage from nearby businesses; no arrests have been announced.

Did anyone in the area see the two SUVs or the confrontation leading up to the shooting?