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Left inset: Heather Arriaga (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Stephen Guardino (Messinger Mortuaries). Background: The scene of the shooting in Arizona that left Stephen Guardino dead after Heather Arriaga allegedly opened fire on him from her car (AZ Family).
An Arizona road rage dispute took a tragic turn when a 54-year-old man was fatally shot in the neck by a 24-year-old woman, according to police and eyewitness accounts. The woman, identified as Heather Arriaga, reportedly fired the fatal shot after claiming the man had confronted her and spat on her. Witnesses allege that after the incident, she remained seated in her vehicle, seemingly indifferent to the man’s critical condition.
Law enforcement records reveal that the victim, Stephen Guardino, lost his life following the confrontation in Phoenix in September 2025. Arriaga is now facing charges of manslaughter in connection with the incident.
“It was a shocking and horrific scene,” recalled witness Isaiah Cline, who spoke to the local news outlet, AZ Family.
Another witness, Brody Madrid, expressed disbelief at Arriaga’s reaction, stating, “She remained in her car as he lay there dying, showing no concern.”
Following the issuance of an arrest warrant, Arriaga turned herself in to the Phoenix Police on Monday evening, arriving at headquarters around 6 p.m. to face the manslaughter charges.
Witnesses told AZ Family after the shooting that Arriaga and Guardino were stopped at a red light near the intersection of 7th and Missouri Avenues, south of Bethany Home Road, when the attack happened across the street from a Starbucks on Sept. 27, 2025. Arriaga allegedly shot Guardino while sitting in her car.
“They were basically trying to get in each other’s lanes, following each other really close,” said witness Malasia Williams. “He spit on her, and she shot him.”
People who were nearby and saw the scene unfold ran up to try to render aid, according to police and witnesses, while Arriaga allegedly did nothing to help.
“She said, ‘I shot him. I’m sorry. He ran up to my car. I was scared. He got in my face, I shot him,’” witness Isaiah Cline recounted to AZ Family.
“Tried as best as I could [to render aid] and left it in God’s hands,” Madrid said.
An online obituary for Guardino says he was “tragically taken … in a senseless road rage incident.” He was known as “Tata Steve” and had grandkids through his stepsons, according to the obituary.
“Steve will be remembered for his humor, intelligence, creativity, and kindness,” the obituary says. “He will be deeply missed.”
Arriaga is scheduled to be arraigned on April 14.