PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Lyft driver was shot during a carjacking in North Philadelphia early Thursday morning.
The 58-year-old driver, who was in a 2025 Chevrolet Malibu with a Florida license plate, went to 900 Fairmount Avenue to pick up two passengers, according to police.
“That can be a very dangerous job, picking up total strangers, especially at 2:30 or 2:40 in the morning in a secluded location,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The passengers got in the car. One of them was armed.
“As soon as they got in the vehicle, they pulled a gun, pointed it at [the driver] and announced a robbery,” Small said.
The victim tried to drive away while the suspect was still in the back seat. But then, “the perpetrator fired at least two shots, striking the driver in his chest and arm and they forced him out of the vehicle,” Small said.
The victim walked a few blocks to 11th Street and Fairmount Avenue. Police responded to the scene and took him to the hospital. He is expected to physically recover.
Investigators said the driver was still in possession of the key fob. It was not immediately clear to police if a second fob was in the car for the carjackers to use.
Real-time crime cameras did not capture the shooting, but they did record the carjackers getting away. They drove west on Fairmount Avenue and onto 10th Street, Small said.
Shortly after 4 a.m., police cameras in New Providence, New Jersey captured the stolen car, and investigators tracked it down to Jersey City. They recovered a gun and the car, and arrested the 17-year-old suspect.
Police are still searching for the second suspect.
CORRECTION: Police initially said the driver worked for Uber. This article has been updated to reflect the correct ride-hailing service.