A road confrontation that started with a near-collision ended with a teenager facing more than a decade in prison after a Phoenix man was killed.
Henry Gonzales, now 17, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the August 2025 shooting death of 45-year-old Porfirio Medina, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Medina was riding a scooter when he approached Gonzales’ car at a red light near Seventh Street and Buckeye Road after the two nearly collided. Prosecutors said Gonzales lowered the passenger-side window and fired a single shot, striking Medina in the chest. Medina was taken to a hospital and later died.
Gonzales initially faced first- and second-degree murder charges, along with allegations related to a drive-by shooting and illegally possessing a firearm. Investigators identified him using surveillance footage, license plate reader data and cellphone location information.
During questioning, Gonzales admitted he had obtained the gun illegally several days before the shooting. He also told investigators he sold the firearm afterward because he was worried he might use it again.
The 14-year sentence closes a case that began with a brief traffic confrontation and escalated into a fatal shooting.
