Teen charged as adult in killing of Uber driver found dead in Lawrenceville
Authorities believe an Uber driver who was found dead in the street in Lawrenceville was shot and killed by a 15-year-old boy during a carjacking on New Year's Day.
The teen has been arrested, and police say he will be charged as an adult for the crimes.
Lawrenceville police identified the victim as 58-year-old Cesar Tejada of Grayson, an Uber driver who was working early Thursday morning when he was shot and killed. Police called the killing "senseless" and said Tejada was simply trying to provide for his family.
According to the department's public information officer, Captain Dena Pauly, officers were called just after 5:20 a.m. on Jan. 1 to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway after a 911 caller reported an unresponsive man lying in the roadway. When officers arrived, they found Tejada suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Captain Pauly said detectives immediately began reviewing Flock safety camera data and Ring doorbell video, which showed a black SUV stopping in the roadway, dropping off the victim's body and driving away. Police later determined the SUV was Tejada's vehicle.
Through camera footage and license plate data, detectives learned Tejada had been working as an Uber driver at the time. With assistance from Uber, police were able to piece together a detailed timeline of Tejada's final hours.
Pauly said Tejada picked up a passenger at 4:13 a.m. on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn and drove him to Groveland Parkway. Ring camera video shows the passenger exiting the back seat, walking to the driver's side door, and shooting Tejada. Investigators said the suspect then removed Tejada from the vehicle and left the neighborhood.
About 10 minutes later, the suspect returned to the area before driving back to Lilburn, Pauly said. Using Uber records and camera data, detectives determined the vehicle was eventually left near the same neighborhood where Tejada originally picked up the passenger.
Officers were sent to a home in that area and later took a suspect into custody after he was seen walking away from the residence. Police identified the suspect as 15-year-old Christian Simmons of Lilburn.
Simmons was charged as an adult with murder. Police said he was initially uncooperative but eventually complied and was taken into custody without any further issues. Authorities said there is no indication of an argument and believe the shooting was carried out solely to steal the vehicle.
Tejada had no connection to the neighborhood, Pauly said, adding that he lived in Grayson and was working to earn extra money for his family.
"This is not the way any family would want to start a new year," Pauly said during a news conference Friday, offering condolences to Tejada's loved ones.
In a statement shared with CBS News Atlanta, an Uber spokesperson said, "We're saddened by this devastating loss, and our condolences go out to the driver's family during this incredibly difficult time. We've been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation."
Uber says they have also banned the rider's account.
Lawrenceville police emphasized that violent crime in the city is rare and said they remain committed to protecting the community.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lawrenceville Police Department.