An Uber driver picking up two males in Akron, Ohio, was suddenly battling for her life when one of the passengers pulled out a pistol and shot her, authorities said.
On July 17, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 500 block of Sanford Avenue.
“Somebody’s been shot on Sanford,” a caller informed 911 following the shooting, according to audio obtained by Cleveland CBS station WOIO.
“OK, did you see what happened?” the 911 operator inquired.
“Uh, no. “They just…” “I heard the shots and looked outside; they were on the ground,” the caller said.
The 39-year-old unknown victim was shot six times, according to police, but after being transported to a nearby hospital, she survived and is currently in stable condition, according to NBC station WKYC.
A week later, the Akron Police Department announced that Jaiden Palmer, 18, had been detained on Shaw Avenue by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday.
The offender has been charged with both felonious assault and aggravated robbery.
According to law enforcement’s preliminary investigation, during the Uber journey, “one of the suspects brandished a firearm and shot the victim six times, striking her in the abdomen and arm.”
Both suspects fled after the shooting. It is unclear whether police spoke with the other individual or if a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Akron Police Lt. Michael Murphy realized the impact such a crime could have on ride-share drivers.
“I would tell anyone who is driving for ride-share apps, if they feel as though there is something suspect or the circumstances surrounding one of their rides appear strange, they have the authority to cancel the ride or contact the Akron police department so we can look into it,” he stated to WOIO.”
Palmer is being incarcerated at the Summit County Jail.
