TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Kentavious Gholston, the suspect in the deadly road rage shooting is expected in court on Tuesday.
Gholston has been charged with second-degree murder with a firearm for the death of Steven Powers.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister stated the deadly shots were fired on US-301 Sunday afternoon.
According to the sheriff, Powers and his grandson were driving in a white work van when Gholston cut them off.
Investigators say the 61-year-old honked his horn at Gholston who started brake-checking the van until he stopped thinking his car had been hit. Powers approached the 26-year-old but fell to the ground while attempting to throw a punch.
“Our homicide suspect fires three rounds into his back. He waits for a moment. He sees that he is still alive, so, he first two more rounds striking him a total of four times in the back,” Chronister said.
Powers’ grandson got out of the van after witnessing the shooting.
“Our homicide suspect then looks and points the gun at him too. He goes, like this, scared to death, ‘Hey, listen, I don’t want anything to do with this, don’t shoot me.’ Our homicide suspect gets back in the car, and flees through traffic running a red light,” Chronister said.
Deputies tracked Gholston down using a debit card found at the scene of the confrontation. State Attorney Suzy Lopez stated the suspect could face up to life in prison if convicted of the crime.
The victim’s family is in shock following the brutal attack. “He was a hard worker, loving, caring man. I just can’t understand how this could happen,” Power’s brother said.
His nephew warns, “To everybody on the road, there’s no need for road rage. Tampa is a very congested place, everybody’s got to get to somewhere. There’s no need for it.”
Loved ones say they’ll be in the courtroom when Gholston makes his first appearance before a judge.