MJP –
A tragic and senseless act of violence unfolded on October 27, when 61-year-old Steven Powers was shot and killed by 26-year-old Kentavious Gholston in a road rage incident on Bloomingdale Avenue and U.S. Highway 301 in Hillsborough County.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the confrontation began when Powers, driving a white work van with his adult grandson, noticed a black Mazda driven by Gholston weaving through traffic and cutting them off. Powers honked his horn in response, prompting Gholston to brake check him multiple times. Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that Gholston, possibly believing Powers had struck his car, parked his Mazda directly in front of Powers’ van, blocking the highway.
When Powers exited his vehicle and approached Gholston’s driver’s side door, he intended to punch him but missed and was pushed to the ground by Gholston.
While the initial push was deemed justified, what followed was not. Still on the ground, Powers was defenseless when Gholston pulled out a gun and fired several shots into his back. Realizing that Powers was still alive, Gholston fired again, bringing the total to four shots.
After witnessing his grandfather being shot, Powers’ grandson exited the van but was threatened by Gholston, who pointed the gun at him. The grandson, terrified, raised his hands in surrender. Gholston then fled the scene, running a red light as he left.
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Powers was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Sheriff Chronister condemned the incident as a “senseless loss of life,” emphasizing that “violence is never the answer” and that the tragedy could have been entirely avoided.
During the investigation, deputies found a debit card belonging to Gholston’s mother at the crime scene, and evidence from multiple dash cams and witnesses helped identify Gholston. Before deputies could arrest him, Gholston’s attorney contacted authorities, stating that he would turn himself in.
On October 28, Gholston was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and probation violation for possessing a firearm. He was on probation for a prior domestic violence conviction.
While in custody, Gholston cooperated with investigators, revealing the location of the black Mazda and admitting to dismantling the gun and discarding it in a retention pond. Authorities later confirmed that Powers had not, in fact, struck Gholston’s vehicle.
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Gholston remains in jail without bond, and the investigation continues. Sheriff Chronister expressed that the evidence against Gholston was overwhelming, adding a plea for patience on the roads as the area grows.
“This tragedy is a reminder that road rage can escalate into violence,” Sheriff Chronister said, urging everyone to be more patient. “A Sunday afternoon should never turn into a nightmare that costs a life and leaves a family shattered.”
