A Mesa woman has been sentenced to five years in prison following a road rage incident that escalated to gunfire last year. As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, 25-year-old Alyssa Soto pleaded guilty to a felony drive-by shooting charge after a confrontation led her to fire a handgun at a Tesla with a family inside, including an infant.
The August 2024 incident, which occurred near Higley and McKellips Roads, began when Soto yelled and cursed at the victims in their vehicle. Maricopa County Attorney’s Office statement relayed that Soto retrieved her gun and fired a shot as the family attempted to drive away. Although the family remained unharmed, their car's cameras captured the incident, proving to be a pivotal piece of evidence. Soto was arrested days later, and a .9mm handgun reportedly tied to the shooting was found in her boyfriend's truck, as Arizona's Family highlighted.
Soto's reasoning for the violent act, as court records show, was due to overwhelming anger and frustration. "Soto later admitted to the shooting and confirmed she was the individual in the Tesla footage," the Maricopa County Attorney's Office stated, revealing her acknowledgment of the grave decision she made on that day.
In sentencing, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned the act, expressing zero tolerance for such behavior. "Firing a gun at a family because you are angry is not a mistake – it’s a dangerous, criminal choice," she said, according to a statement provided by FOX 10 Phoenix. "There is no place for this kind of treacherous behavior in our community. If you choose violence in Maricopa County, you will face serious consequences."
