Photo courtesy of Fox News.
Summary: Atlanta police are looking for an Uber Eats driver who allegedly shot and killed a customer.
An Uber Eats driver reportedly murdered a customer after he delivered food. According to NPR, Atlanta police said the delivery person and the client had argued before the driver fired several rounds into his back.
Uber told NPR that they were “saddened” by the killing and that they would release another statement once an arrest has been made.
“We are shocked and saddened by this news,” Uber spokesperson Andrew Hasbun said. “We are working with the Atlanta Police Department, and our hearts go out to the families of those involved.”
Atlanta Police said they are still searching for the shooter. They said that police responded to a call that a person was shot in north Atlanta on Saturday evening.
“The victim went down to meet the driver, received his order and began walking away from the vehicle,” police told CNN. “As the victim was walking away, it appears words may have been exchanged between he and the delivery driver. Shots were apparently fired from the delivery vehicle, striking the victim.”
Witnesses said that Uber Eats driver then fled in a white Volkswagen.
Uber Eats is Uber’s food delivery service. Using an app, customers can order food from participating restaurants and an Uber Eats driver will pick it up and bring it to them for a fee. It is similar to Postmates, and it is available in 37 cities in North America.
Uber said that it screens its drivers using a review of their motor vehicle records and a criminal records search. Uber said that the driver did not have a criminal record and it was company policy to not allow drivers to carry firearms.
“[Our] goal is to ensure that everyone has a safe and reliable ride,” Uber stated.”That’s why Uber prohibits riders and drivers from carrying firearms of any kind in a vehicle while using our app.”
The victim, Ryan Thorton, 30, was taken to a local hospital, and he died from the gunshot injuries. His family said that he had graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in political science and that he had started a new job.
Uber has been criticized for other safety issues. Passengers have complained that sometimes drivers sexually harass them, and one lawsuit said that thousands of women have been raped by Uber drivers. Uber has also been accused of using its tracking ability to stalk celebrities and employee ex-lovers.
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