A tragic incident unfolded in Philadelphia as a 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji W. Bolaji, was shot and killed while attempting to pick up a passenger outside a hookah lounge.
The fatal shooting occurred around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, near Byblos Hookah Bar. Reports indicate that Bolaji, who lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania, had just arrived to collect a rider when two unidentified men stepped out of a vehicle parked behind his car and opened fire.
According to Philadelphia Chief Inspector Scott Small, the attackers fired multiple shots, fatally wounding Bolaji in the head.
His 22-year-old passenger also sustained gunshot injuries to the arm, leg, and stomach.
Despite being shot, Bolaji managed to drive a short distance away before crashing his vehicle.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.
The injured passenger remains in critical condition and is being treated at a nearby hospital. Authorities believe a confrontation between the suspects and the passenger may have occurred just before the shooting, possibly indicating the attack was targeted.
Police are currently searching for the suspects, who fled in a Jeep Grand Cherokee bearing Massachusetts license plates.
A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to their arrest.
Loved ones described Bolaji as a devoted father and caring partner. “It’s heartbreaking,” a family friend told NBC10 Philadelphia.
“He didn’t deserve to die like this. We want justice.”
Uber issued a statement expressing sympathy for Bolaji’s family, saying, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, and we are cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”
The case remains under active investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department.
