AKRON, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) – An Uber driver in Ohio was shot multiple times Thursday night after picking up two passengers in the Akron area.
According to the Akron Police Department, officers responded to the 500 block of Sanford Avenue just before 9:30 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found a 39-year-old woman with six gunshot wounds.
Police said the woman was driving for Uber and had just picked up two male passengers.
During the ride, one of the men took out a gun and shot the woman, striking her in the arm and abdomen.
The two men then took off from the scene and haven’t yet been taken into custody.
Police said the woman was transported to Summa Health Akron in unknown condition following the shooting.
“We are shocked and sickened by this violence. Our thoughts are with the driver, and we are reaching out to them to check in,” an Uber spokesperson shared. “We’ve banned the rider from the Uber platform and are continuing to investigate the incident.”
According to police, it appears the driver and the passengers did not know each other. They are still working on a possible motive.
“I would advise anyone who is driving for rideshare apps, if they feel as though there is something suspicious or the circumstances surrounding one of their rides seem off, they can cancel the ride or contact the Akron police department so we can look into it,” Akron PD Lt. Michael Murphy said.
Uber added that its team has also been in touch with police and is fully cooperating to help bring those responsible for the “horrific act of violence” to justice.
