An 18-year-old motorist is claiming self-defense after a road rage confrontation on Alexander Love Highway escalated into a shootout with an elderly driver. The older man, Michael Bean, has been charged with attempted murder after investigators determined he initiated the gunfire.

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YORK, SC (3-minute read) — A Saturday morning drive turned into a violent exchange of gunfire near York Comprehensive High School, leaving one man wounded and another in police custody. The York Police Department reports that the incident began as a road rage dispute between two drivers on Alexander Love Highway. According to the investigation, the situation intensified until both individuals, each armed with a pistol, fired at one another.

Michael Bean, 72, was struck in the arm during the encounter and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While initial reports focused on the chaotic nature of the shootout, further investigation by the York Police Criminal Investigations Division revealed that Bean allegedly aggressively maneuvered his vehicle and initiated the verbal spat before retrieving his firearm and shooting at the 18-year-old intended victim.

Proving Self-Defense in Mobile Environments

The 18-year-old driver involved immediately contacted 911 following the shootout to report his involvement and was found waiting for officers in a nearby business parking lot. Because he cooperated fully and evidence suggested Bean fired first, police have characterized the teen’s actions as self-defense. Bean now faces serious charges, including attempted murder, pointing and presenting a firearm, and malicious injury to property.

The proximity of the gunfire to York Comprehensive High School caused immediate alarm for parents and residents. However, school officials confirmed the incident was entirely unrelated to the campus or any students. Though the highway was shut down for several hours for evidence collection, authorities have emphasized that there is no lingering threat to the public.

For those who carry a firearm for protection, this case serves as a sober reminder of how quickly a traffic dispute can lead to life-altering legal and physical consequences. In South Carolina, the right to defend oneself is protected, but the legal bar for using lethal force is high, requiring a clear and immediate threat to life.

Safety Tip: The best way to “win” a road rage encounter is to never participate in one. If another driver is acting aggressively, avoid eye contact, do not gesture, and do not pull over. If you are followed, drive directly to the nearest police station or a highly populated, well-lit area while calling 911.