Tyler, Texas — A traffic altercation last week escalated into a fatal shooting, raising concerns about increasing road rage incidents across the state. Authorities have charged 23-year-old Dayton Morgan with murder following the death of 29-year-old Trevor Julian, who was shot during what police label a “road rage” confrontation.
Investigators reviewing the case discovered that Morgan claimed he felt no threat from Julian, an unarmed man he shot twice on Feb. 13. According to an affidavit, Morgan’s actions did not appear to warrant self-defense, as Julian reportedly made no verbal threats and was not holding any weapon at the time of the encounter.
The incident unfolded around 5 p.m. when Morgan’s white Dodge Ram was behind Julian’s Tesla at a traffic light on Grande Boulevard. Morgan reported that as the signal turned red, the Tesla came to a sudden stop, forcing him to brake sharply, which brought his vehicle uncomfortably close to Julian’s.
As matters escalated, Julian exited his vehicle—driven by his wife with their three children inside—and approached Morgan’s truck, leading to a heated exchange. Witnesses indicated that both men were yelling at each other amid the traffic. Morgan stated that he and Julian exchanged shouts, with Julian demanding he back up and Morgan insisting that Julian “move on.”
The situation intensified when Julian approached Morgan’s driver’s door. Morgan reported that, feeling threatened, he retrieved a pistol from his center console, chambered a round, and shot through the glass window of his truck door, striking Julian in the throat. After the first shot, Julian fell back but then allegedly moved toward Morgan again, prompting a second shot that hit him in the chest.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting, finding Julian unresponsive on the roadway, where a bystander was performing CPR. He was transported to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Witnesses to the incident included Julian’s wife, who was in the car with their children, and several other bystanders who immediately reported the gunfire to authorities. Officers apprehended Morgan at the scene, where he remained until he was taken into custody and transported to the police station for questioning. A warrant for his arrest was issued later that evening, leading to his booking at Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.
As the investigation continues, no court date has been set for Morgan’s upcoming legal proceedings. Julian, a Whitehouse resident and Carthage native, served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Morgan hails from Ben Wheeler but had been residing in Troup.
This tragic incident highlights the increasing volatility of road rage encounters in Texas, prompting concerns about public safety on the roads.