2 passengers allegedly killed California Uber driver and stole his vehicle
03/24/2023 1:56 pm PDT
LYNWOOD, Calif. (TCD) -- Deputies are looking for two men who allegedly fatally shot a 38-year-old Marine Corps veteran and father of two while he was driving their Uber.
According to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, on Friday, March 24, at approximately 1:33 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim on the 2800 block of Imperial Highway. Upon their arrival, deputies reportedly found the victim, later identified by KTLA-TV as Aaron Orozco, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Orozco reportedly picked up the two male passengers, and he "stopped his vehicle in the parking lot of the indicated location."
Orozco and the two suspects got into a physical fight, and one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and allegedly fatally shot the victim, the Sheriff’s Office said.
KTLA reports one of the passengers stole the vehicle, a black Honda Accord, which was found abandoned nearby. The other passenger reportedly fled the scene on foot.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, "The two male suspects are still outstanding."
The victim’s wife told KTLA, "I’m still in shock. I can’t believe this happened to our family. I just don’t know how to react right now, really. It’s just so hard."
In a statement, an Uber spokesperson reportedly said, "Our hearts are with Mr. Orozco Figueroa’s family as they cope with this unfathomable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our condolences."
The spokesperson continued, "We banned the rider’s account and are working with police on their investigation."
The investigation is ongoing.
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