Seattle police have apprehended an 18-year-old woman in connection with an Uber driver’s murder in the SODO neighborhood. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly confessed to the crime. The victim has been identified as 52-year-old Amare Geda, a father and rideshare driver. Police believe he was the victim of a carjacking.
According to reports, Geda was found shot to death in the early hours of August 8th at an intersection. Despite efforts by medics to save his life, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) stated that Geda had been parked along the curb when he was shot. The shooting incident appears to be a random act of violence, as the suspect was not a rideshare customer.
After the shooting took place, the suspect fled the scene in Geda’s car. The vehicle was identified as a light blue 2014 Toyota Prius with a Washington license plate. The vehicle, which has one mismatched rim, was last seen in West Seattle shortly after the incident. Two days later, the 18-year-old woman was arrested and booked into King County Jail on suspicion of murder.
Geda was known for his unwavering dedication to his family, working tirelessly day and night to provide for his wife and two children. Geda’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for transporting his body to Ethiopia, his home country, and laying him to rest.
This devastating incident marks the second time in less than a year that a rideshare driver has been killed while working in Seattle. In September, Mohamed Kediye, a father of six, was shot and killed during his final route for Lyft near the Amazon Spheres.
The Seattle Rideshare Driver Association Executive Director, Ahmed Mumin, expressed concern over the safety of drivers and the increasing violence they face. In light of these tragic events, some drivers are considering arming themselves for self-protection.