Jonathan Mauk, a 59-year-old grandfather, was fatally shot on Feb. 5, 2024, in a Walmart parking lot in Highland, California, following a minor fender bender. According to his oldest son, Matthew, Mauk was “a solid foundation for all of us,” and the loss is described as “immeasurable.” Matthew expressed disbelief, stating, “I can’t even put into words why that happened or what would go through a person’s mind to make that seem like an acceptable action.”

The collision between Mauk’s vehicle and Shawntece Norton’s resulted in minimal damage, with police noting just “a scratch or two.” However, when Mauk attempted to apologize, Norton allegedly responded with violence, shooting him in the face before driving away, Fox reports. Matthew Mauk revealed that witnesses conveyed his father’s sense of responsibility, stating, “From what witnesses told me, my dad felt responsible. He was the one to blame, so he got out of the car to apologize and that is when the other person shot him.”

Norton was promptly arrested and charged with murder, with no bail eligibility. Mauk’s family seeks justice for his death, pledging to actively participate in legal proceedings. Matthew Mauk affirmed their commitment, saying, “We’ll be there for every single court hearing. Anything that has to do with this incident, we’re going to be there. We’re going to be vocal, we’re going to talk about it.”

The tragic loss of Jonathan Mauk has deeply impacted his family, leaving behind three sons and two grandchildren. A GoFundMe page has been established to cover funeral expenses, with the family expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. Norton is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 15, maintaining her plea of not guilty to murder charges.