A 77-year-old Nigerian man, Olatunji W. Bolaji, was tragically shot and killed while working as an Uber driver outside a hookah lounge in Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 15.
According to CBS News, the incident occurred shortly before 2am outside Byblos Hookah Bar, where Bolaji had arrived to pick up a passenger.
As a 22-year-old passenger entered Bolaji’s vehicle, two men emerged from a car parked behind and opened fire on the vehicle, Philadelphia Chief Inspector Scott Small told the outlet.
The suspects fired “at least four times,” hitting Bolaji in the head and striking the passenger in the arm, leg, and stomach.
Despite his injuries, Bolaji managed to drive away from the scene but crashed shortly afterward.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Bolaji was pronounced dead. He was remembered as a “loving partner and father” to a son.
The passenger, whose name has not been released, remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital, NBC10 Philadelphia reports.
Small added that there had been “a physical altercation” involving the passenger and the suspects prior to the shooting.
“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,” he said.
Police say the shooters fled the scene in a Jeep Grand Cherokee bearing Massachusetts license plates.
As the investigation continues, the Philadelphia Police Department is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
A family friend told NBC10 Philadelphia that they were “heartbroken” and wanted “justice for the man who was senselessly murdered.”
Uber, in a statement to CBS News Philadelphia, expressed their condolences and confirmed their cooperation with law enforcement.
“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.”
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