Uber driver wounded in crossfire of possible gang-related shooting
An Uber driver was wounded in Venice after he was caught in the crossfire of a possible gang-related shooting involving his passengers, police said Wednesday.
The driver, described by police as a man in his 20s, picked up two men and a woman at the beach Tuesday afternoon. Officials didn’t know their destination.
The car was stopped at Louella and Lucille avenues just before 4 p.m. when a gold or silver Kia Optima with paper plates and four or five men pulled up alongside, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden.
The female passenger was in the front seat, and the two men were in the back when someone in the car next to them opened fire, Faden said. The gunman missed all of the passengers but hit the driver once in the upper body, she said.
The Kia Optima sped off, and its passengers have not been found. The Uber driver was treated at the hospital and since has been released.
In investigating the shooting, police found that at least two of the Uber driver’s passengers were carrying weapons, Faden said.
All three were booked on suspicion of weapons-related violations, Faden said. They were identified as Isiah Caldwell, 21; Joseph Dews, 19; and Idalia Munoz, 19. All three were being held in lieu of $35,000 bail, jail records show.
Uber is cooperating with the investigation, the company said in a statement, adding: “Our thoughts are with our partner driver as he recovers and we’re thankful he’s doing OK.”
For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna.
MORE ON UBER:
L.A. City Council hits the brakes on plan to allow Uber at LAX
4 Uber drivers cited at LAX have serious criminal records
Can I Uber or Lyft after I land? It’s complicated. Here’s your airport cheat sheet
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
