Inset: William McGinty (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The intersection where a fatal road rage incident occurred near Loop 101 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Google Maps).
An Arizona man accused of fatally shooting another driver during a road rage confrontation near a highway is claiming he acted in self-defense, authorities said.
William McGinty, 43, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man whose identity has not been released.
The confrontation unfolded in the afternoon near Loop 101 in Scottsdale, a major beltway serving the Phoenix metropolitan area, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
McGinty reportedly described the encounter as a road rage incident during a 911 call placed at about 2 p.m., court documents said. The records were obtained by Phoenix television station KTVK and CBS affiliate KPHO, which operate together as Arizona’s Family.
Police said both men eventually pulled over along 87th Street, north of Cactus Road. The dispute escalated there, ending in a shooting.
McGinty allegedly told the 911 dispatcher that the other driver had been “road raging” and that he was forced to “defend himself.” When asked how he did so, he reportedly answered, “my pistol,” according to the court documents.
Although McGinty acknowledged shooting the man, he told authorities the victim did not appear to be carrying a weapon, police said. At the end of the call, McGinty allegedly said he had remained inside his vehicle and would stay there until officers arrived.
When police reached the scene, they found McGinty with his hands raised outside the vehicle’s window, authorities said. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The other man was found lying on his back nearby with gunshot wounds to his chest and back. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died, police said.
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During an interview with detectives, McGinty said the dispute began as he drove along the loop and tried to take the Cactus Road exit. He claimed the other driver prevented him from merging, leading to an argument before both men stopped and got out of their vehicles.
According to the court documents, McGinty said the victim suddenly cut in front of him, pulled over and forced him to brake. He told investigators the man then approached his car while repeatedly shouting, “get the f— out.”
McGinty said he responded, “I don’t want no beef,” while displaying his firearm and holding it against his chest, police said.
The defendant claimed the warning did not deter the other man, who appeared to move as though he was about to punch the vehicle’s window. McGinty said he fired once, then shot again when the victim seemingly turned back toward him.
McGinty also told investigators that his firearm malfunctioned after the first shot. He allegedly removed a screw from a suppressor before firing again, according to authorities.
Investigators found no broken glass or other damage to either vehicle at the scene, the court documents said.
Police also examined footage from nearby traffic cameras. Authorities said the video showed “no aggressive driving behavior” by either driver.
McGinty remains held at the Maricopa County Jail on a $1 million bond.
The post Man blasts unarmed driver near highway off-ramp with suppressed pistol after petty traffic dispute over merging: Cops first appeared on Law & Crime.
