Uber driver killed in shooting outside Philadelphia hookah lounge, 22-year-old in critical condition
A 77-year-old Uber driver was killed and a 22-year-old man is in critical condition after a shooting outside a hookah lounge not far from Rittenhouse Square in Center City, Philadelphia police said early Wednesday morning.
The older man was driving for Uber when he picked up the younger victim outside the Byblos Hookah Bar in the 100 block of South 18th Street, shortly before 2 a.m. Police identified the driver Thursday as Olatunji W. Bolaji of Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Another vehicle pulled up behind their SUV and two men got out, Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
At least one of them started shooting at the victims in the SUV, hitting both Bolaji and the passenger.
Bolaji was able to drive a short distance away to 17th and Chestnut streets, where Small said he eventually crashed into a light pole.
Police said at least four shots were fired, and Bolaji was hit in the head. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The 22-year-old was shot in the arm, leg and stomach. Police took him to Jefferson University Hospital, where he was placed in critical condition.
On Friday, police confirmed that surveillance video seen on social media is part of their investigation.
Uber sent CBS News Philadelphia a statement on the shooting on Thursday.
"Our hearts break for the driver's family and loved ones in the wake of this devastating loss," the statement read. "We've reached out to police to offer our support as they work to bring those responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice."
Small said that the entire shooting was captured on private surveillance cameras in the area, and that the shooters were driving a dark-colored or black newer-model Jeep Grand Cherokee that might have Massachusetts tags on both the front and rear of the vehicle.
He added that the relationship between the two victims isn't clear at this point.
Brigid Bonner said she regularly uses ride-hailing apps to get around the city and her heart breaks for the driver.
"He is an older guy out late trying to make some extra money and was probably just looking to support his family and ended up in a situation like this," said Bonner.
However, Small said that there was "definitely a physical altercation" between the 22-year-old and the men from the other SUV before the shooting started.
"It appears that right before the shots were fired, there was some sort of physical altercation. It also appears that someone in that vehicle was targeted," said Small.
"My father is 77 years old, and that's what really hit home for me," said Allison Phillips, a ride-hailing driver. "That was somebody's father. Somebody's son."
Phillips makes a point not to work after the sun goes down out of fear that the unthinkable could happen to her.
"The story isn't shocking to me that this man was brutally killed. It's heartbreaking, but it's very real," she said. "This is very real."
Investigators are still working to identify a motive for the attack.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Police said they're reviewing surveillance video and a $20,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
