Rideshare driver killed in ambush attack on Ward Street
The victim told responding officers that two men ran up, shot him several times, dragged him from his vehicle, and drove away.
HOUSTON — A rideshare driver was shot and killed during a carjacking on the south side early Tuesday morning, according to the Houston Police Department.
Officers responded to the scene around 2 a.m. on Ward Street near Conley Street and found a man in his late twenties suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim told responding officers that two men ran up, shot him several times, dragged him from his vehicle, and drove away.
Police said the stolen car was a black Hyundai Sonata, which was recovered approximately eight blocks away on a dead-end street at Goforth and Dreyfus.
Police said the victim was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
HPD Det. Alexander Vinogradov said the victim provided limited details before his death. Authorities recovered the victim’s wallet and cell phone at the scene.
The carjacking occurred in an area police say has experienced several similar incidents targeting rideshare drivers in recent months.
“This is not the first incident of an Uber or Lyft driver being carjacked in this area,” Vinogradov said. “We need to put an end to it as soon as we can.”
Police urged rideshare drivers to use extra caution when picking up and dropping off.
Police believe the suspects may have emerged from a nearby dark field and urged residents to review their surveillance footage. Investigators were working to determine if the victim was targeted through a rideshare request.
Anyone with information should contact HPD’s Homicide Division or Crime Stoppers.
