The suspect in the murder on the road is waiting in court

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Kentavious Gholston, the suspect in a fatal drive-by shooting, is expected in court Tuesday.

Gholston was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm in the death of Steven Powers.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the fatal shots were fired on US-301 Sunday afternoon.

Powers and his grandson were traveling in a white work van when Gholston pulled them over, the sheriff said.

Investigators say the 61-year-old man honked at Holston, who began checking the van’s brakes until he stopped thinking his car had been hit. Powers approached the 26-year-old but fell to the ground trying to land a punch.

“Our murder suspect shot him three times in the back. He waits a moment. He sees that he’s still alive, so he shoots him two more times in the back for a total of four times,” Chronister said.

Powers’ grandson got out of the van after witnessing the shooting.

“Then our murder suspect also looks and points a gun at him. He goes like this, scared to death, “Hey, listen, I don’t want anything to do with this, don’t shoot me.” Our homicide suspect gets back into the car and flees through traffic at a red light,” Chronister said.

Deputies tracked down Gholston using a debit card found at the scene of the collision. State’s Attorney Suzy Lopez said the suspect could face up to life in prison if convicted of the crime.

The family of the deceased is in shock from the brutal attack. “He was a hardworking, loving, caring man. I just can’t understand how this could happen,” Power’s brother said.

His nephew warns: “For all those on the road, there is no need for road aggression. Tampa is a very congested place, everyone has to get somewhere. There is no need for this.”

Relatives say they will be in the courtroom when Gholston makes his first appearance before a judge.

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