An Uber driver in Akron, Ohio, found herself in a life-or-death situation when one of her passengers pulled out a gun and shot her during a ride. The terrifying incident took place on July 17 around 9:30 p.m., prompting a swift police response to the 500 block of Sanford Avenue.
“Somebody’s been shot on Sanford,” a caller told 911, according to audio obtained by Cleveland’s CBS affiliate WOIO. When asked if they witnessed the shooting, the caller replied, “Uh, no. They just… I heard the shots, and I looked outside, and they were on the ground.”
The 39-year-old Uber driver, whose name has not been released, was shot six times. Despite the severity of her injuries—gunshot wounds to her abdomen and arm—she survived after being rushed to a nearby hospital and was later listed in stable condition, according to NBC affiliate WKYC.
For a week, the case remained unsolved until the Akron Police Department announced the arrest of 18-year-old Jaiden Palmer. He was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force on Shaw Avenue and charged with felonious assault and aggravated robbery.
Police say their investigation revealed that during the course of the ride, “one of the suspects brandished a firearm and shot the victim six times.” After the shooting, both suspects fled the scene. Authorities have not clarified whether the second suspect has been identified or if a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The shocking nature of the crime has raised concerns among ride-share drivers across the region. Akron Police Lt. Michael Murphy addressed these fears directly.
“I would advise anyone who is driving for ride-share apps, if they feel as though there is something suspicious or the circumstances surrounding one of their rides seem off, they have the ability to cancel the ride or contact the Akron Police Department so we can look into it,” Murphy told WOIO.
Palmer remains in custody at the Summit County Jail as the investigation continues. The victim’s recovery is ongoing, and authorities have yet to release additional details about a possible motive.