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AKRON, OH – A 17-year-old has died after a road rage shooting early Wednesday that police say began when shots were fired into a vehicle carrying a DoorDash driver and his girlfriend.

Akron police say the shooting happened just after midnight near the entrance ramp from East Tallmadge Avenue to State Route 8 South. Authorities received nearly simultaneous 911 calls from both drivers involved.

According to Fox News 9, the DoorDash driver and his girlfriend reported that two bullets shattered their windshield during the confrontation.

Investigators say the incident began when another vehicle was driving aggressively and tailgating them. Police say the driver attempted to de-escalate the situation by pulling over to allow the vehicle to pass.

Instead of passing, police say occupants of the other vehicle fired shots directly toward the DoorDash driver’s car.

The driver told authorities he returned fire after the gunshots struck his vehicle.

“He came up on the side of me and started shooting,” the driver said, describing the moments leading up to the exchange of gunfire.

Police say the other vehicle was later determined to be stolen and was being driven by a 17-year-old. The teen was taken to the emergency room at Akron Children’s Hospital after being shot in the head and later died from his injuries.

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Investigators say the first shot came from the passenger side of the stolen car. Police allege the 17-year-old driver’s 15-year-old brother fired the initial round.

Authorities say the DoorDash driver drove to a nearby Circle K to reach a safe location after the shooting.

Police said the driver is cooperating with investigators and appears to be legally allowed to possess a firearm. Officials stated there is nothing that would prohibit him from owning the gun involved.

The 15-year-old passenger has been charged in connection with opening fire on another driver. Police say he allegedly admitted to firing the gun, disposing of it, and that the vehicle they were driving had been stolen.

It remains unclear whether additional charges could be filed in connection with the 17-year-old’s death.

Incidents like this highlight how quickly road rage can escalate into life-threatening violence. Even when a driver attempts to disengage, as police say happened in this case, aggressive actions from others can create a deadly situation.

For many armed citizens, the right to lawfully carry a firearm exists so they can defend themselves when faced with an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm, as the DoorDash driver said he did.