[imagesource: Mauk family handout]

Jonathan Mauk accidentally reversed his Chevrolet Camaro into Shawntece Marie Norton’s car while leaving a Walmart parking lot just outside the San Bernardino International Airport.

As soon as he stepped out to apologise for the minor fender bender, the 37-year-old woman shot the 59-year-old man in the face, killing him.

Norton is accused of fleeing the parking lot after gunning the remorseful California grandfather down. At least she was arrested the next day and charged with murder.

Mauk was driving through the parking lot, searching for an open spot, when Norton was backing out of a parking spot. He reportedly struck Norton’s car, per The New York Post:

“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,” his eldest son, Matthew Mauk, told the outlet.

Tragically, Mauk’s son revealed that there was “no real damage” to his dad’s car when he picked the vehicle up later in the day.

“There is a scratch on the fender. There is not a dent, there is no real damage. There is a scratch. That is the extent of the collision that he lost his life over,” Matthew Mauk told the outlet.

“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,” Matthew Mauk said. “None of it makes sense.”

Mauk is remembered by his loved ones as a man who loved his family, a classic car enthusiast, and a friend who could be counted on.

Image: Gofundme

Matthew said his father, who “liked being called Grandpa” because “he loved the title,” only stopped at the store to pick up salt and some soda to make his homemade beef jerky with the family.

“I cried when I found out he got killed,” said Lee Hall, Mauk’s friend and co-worker, told KTLA. “That’s what he loved — cars. He probably would have fixed the lady’s car for nothing, but she ended up shooting him.”

Norton entered a not-guilty plea during her initial court appearance this week but should be back in court today, February 15.

Meanwhile, Mauk’s family are picking up the pieces after his murder, with Matthew saying they will do everything in their power to ensure justice is served.

[source:nypost]