A deadly encounter unfolded last Saturday at the intersection of 7th and Missouri avenues in central Phoenix, claiming the life of 54-year-old Stephen Guardino following what has been described as a road rage incident. According to AZ Family, the altercation escalated when Guardino approached a woman's vehicle, resulting in him being shot. Phoenix Police confirmed yesterday morning that Guardino had succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses at the scene painted a chaotic picture of the moments leading up to the fatal shooting. Malasia Williams, an eye witness, told AZ Family, “He spit on her, and she shot him.” She went on to describe the two SUVs driving erratically, vying for position before the violent confrontation at the traffic light. The woman involved in the incident was questioned by the police but has been released pending additional investigation.
The initial report by ABC15 yesterday stated that the man, now identified as Guardino, was in extremely critical condition immediately after the shooting. The incident took place just after 2 p.m., prompting a swift response by the Phoenix police and a subsequent hospitalization of the victim.
Other witnesses shared their horrifying experiences with AZ Family. Isaiah Cline recalled the gruesome aftermath, "It was just a gruesome sight. I mean, it was a shot to the neck, and it’s terrible. Blood all over the place," he said. Meanwhile, Brody Madrid, another individual who witnessed the incident, said, "Tried as best as I could and left it in God's hands." The community reacted swiftly, with some attempting first aid until first responders took over.
Detectives have been actively collecting evidence and searching for surveillance footage from nearby businesses to ascertain the full scope of events. The ongoing investigation seeks to piece together the exact circumstances that prompted the woman to fire her weapon and the detailed context of the encounter between her and Guardino.
