Dallas Uber driver shot by attempted robbers while picking up customer
DALLAS - An Uber driver is recovering after being shot overnight during an attempted robbery in Dallas.
The driver was shot twice early Tuesday morning in his SUV.
Police say the driver was picking up a customer in the 1600 block of Pentagon Parkway in the Oak Park Estates neighborhood of Oak Cliff.
When he arrived around 2 a.m., the driver was approached by three men with guns who demanded his property.
While trying to get away from the trio, multiple shots rang out.
The driver was shot in the back twice. Some of the bullets also hit his SUV.
His wallet was left lying on the ground. He drove several blocks before stopping to call 911.
First responders took him to Methodist Dallas Medical Center in serious condition.
Police said the gunmen took off before police arrived. They are still on the run.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn King Arnold represents the District 4 neighborhood, where the shooting happened. She called it frustrating to learn of another assault on a ride-share driver
"We are not going to tolerate these assaults on these," she said. "These are hardworking people, and they have made a decision to serve because they need to feed their families."
In a statement to FOX 4, Uber said: "This reported act of violence is terrifying. And as soon as we were made aware, we banned the rider from the platform. We have been in touch with the driver and are wishing them a speedy recovery. We are standing by to assist law enforcement in their investigation."
The city put up nearly $5 million in incentives to bring an Uber hub to Dallas, the largest Uber hub outside of San Francisco.
"It makes you angry knowing that many of these people who are out there working either a second job or a third job," Arnold said. "If we continue to see these assaults against hardworking people, hardworking communities, we may very well have to suffer the consequences of having a void in terms of those resources. And mobility is definitely number one on our list."
Police hope the evidence and possibly surveillance video from the neighborhood leads them to the three suspects in the attempted robbery.