topic Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver in Community Chat

Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Love to Run — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:08:34 GMT

An 81-year-old Ohio man is charged with murder after he shot a female Uber driver he mistakenly believed was working with a scammer and attempting to extort him, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

William Brock shot Loletha Hall several times outside his South Charleston home on March 25, according to a criminal complaint. Hall was taken to a local hospital where she died.

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Brock told police that prior to the shooting he had received threatening phone calls from a male caller who claimed one of Brock’s relatives was being held in jail, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

The caller then asked Brock to wire money for the relative’s bond, and when Brock resisted, the caller began threatening to harm him and his family.

When 61-year-old Hall arrived in her Uber at Brock’s residence, he shot her multiple times, the release states.

Brock believed Hall had a connection to the scam caller and would kill him and his family, according to a 911 call he made after shooting her, authorities said.

Police released dashcam video obtained from Hall’s vehicle of Brock confronting her outside his home.

‘A horrific tragedy’
Hall received a request on the Uber app to pick up a package from Brock’s residence, the news release states. Authorities believe she was “unfamiliar with the circumstances” surrounding the request.

Hall arrived in her Uber, and dash cam video from her car shows her getting out of the car to speak to Brock.

William Brock was arrested and charged with murder as police saw no active threat presented by Hall during the encounter, and Brock failed to contact authorities for assistance, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
William Brock was arrested and charged with murder as police saw no active threat presented by Hall during the encounter, and Brock failed to contact authorities for assistance, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Clark County Sheriff’s Office
According to the news release, she made no demands of Brock other than to ask about the package she was sent to retrieve.

Brock was arrested and charged with murder as police saw no active threat presented by Hall during the encounter, and Brock failed to contact authorities for assistance, the sheriff’s office said.

Brock pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder and posted his $200,000 bond on Wednesday, according to court documents.

CNN has reached out to Hall’s family and to Brock’s defense attorney, Paul Kavanagh, for comment.

Uber has been in contact with Hall’s family and law enforcement, the company said. “This is a horrific tragedy and our hearts continue to be with Loletha’s loved ones as they grieve,” an Uber spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.

“We have been in contact with law enforcement and remain committed to supporting their investigation.”

Uber has banned the account of the individual who ordered Hall’s Uber to Brock’s house, the company said. Authorities believe that individual was either the original scam caller or an accomplice, according to the release.

The company says it’s committed to the safety of Uber drivers and has developed safety features including an in-app emergency button, route sharing features and the ability to connect to a live safety agent.

It’s unclear if authorities have identified the owner of the account or made any additional arrests.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

They CallMe MRWILKES — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:13:19 GMT

This was horrifying to see on the news.

That poor woman. Can't even imagine her fear as we see the final moments of her life as she attempts to leave. It's haunting.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

catter70 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:22:10 GMT

I saw that last night. What a very sad story. I can't even imagine her fear.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Caaareful Shopper — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:25:52 GMT

Absolutely outrageous! The 81-yr old man and hopefully the scammer(s) deserve murder charges and hopefully convictions.

The woman, a 61-yr old Uber driver was scammed just like he was. The dashcam showed that she did not say or show any threatening behavior. She was backing away from his house. He followed her and shot her outside... multiple times!

Sickening.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

CalminHeart — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:25:20 GMT

CBS just showed the video on tv. Horrible!

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

SandySparkles — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:29:47 GMT

This is heartbreaking!!!!💔 Reading this DEEPLY disturbing story shook me to my core!😔 This poor woman was just trying to make a living, and to have her gunned down like this by this ruthless murderer is unconscionable!!! I cannot imagine what it is going to be like for her family having to watch this play out in the media!!!I am sending heartfelt prayers of solace to them today as they begin to process this heinous act!!!🙏🙏

He does not appear to be distressed in his posted mugshot! In fact, it is quite the opposite! Viewing his expression made me uncomfortable.😔 There is just SO much more to this shocking story.😐

This was murder; pure and simple!!!😔

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

haddon9 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:45:37 GMT

Terrible story! Looks like they were both being scammed. What he should have done is to hold her in front of his house without shooting her and call the police if he believed that she was in on the scam.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Mimi NY — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:51:31 GMT

Saw this sad incident on my news and my heart went out to this women and her family. She was just doing a job as an Uber driver and being used by the scammers that started this with the 81 year old man. If he thought it was a scam WHY didn't he call the police to report the call he received and not take it into his own hands.You see and hear about these scams all the time about a relative being held in jail and in need of bond money,so to me he acted like he knew it was a scam and went along with it , instead of slamming down the phone. Sounds like he wanted to handle the situation his way instead of getting law enforcement involved.Plus WHY would family members if it was known to them let someone that age have a gun never turns out well.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

skatting44 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:07:23 GMT

What a horrible thing to happen.

2ndly , all these scam calls that most of us are hearing abt are not just innocuous. As in this incident , it only took someone to believe the scammers threats and an innocent person is dead. How and why do the Telecommunication companies & authorities still do nothing to end all these scam calls .

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

paixmcdao — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:13:21 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
Terrible story! Looks like they were both being scammed. What he should have done is to hold her in front of his house without shooting her and call the police if he believed that she was in on the scam.

"Hold her" on what legal basis? He has also been charged with kidnapping, as he should be.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Lucky Charm — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:17:41 GMT

This is horrible, I hadn't watched the news.

So the scammers that called the man, also called Uber and this woman driver came to pick up the box/package which supposedly the man had put money in?

I hope they find the scammers, too, they're very much a part of this.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

They CallMe MRWILKES — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:31:24 GMT

Thank goodness there is dashcam video which captures most of the crime.

The full airing is more horrific than most news outlets have aired.

The murderer threatens to shoot the victim in the head. You can hear her scream for help, begging him not to shoot before she is gunned down.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Greeneyedlady21 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:29:18 GMT

Another trigger happy tragedy

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Greeneyedlady21 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:33:54 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
Terrible story! Looks like they were both being scammed. What he should have done is to hold her in front of his house without shooting her and call the police if he believed that she was in on the scam.

He would have no right to "hold her", that's what the police are for. Stay inside your house and call the police.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Teddixat — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:34:42 GMT

@Caaareful Shopper I totally agree. The man was itching to use his gun. It was obvious she meant him no harm, backing away, he had plenty of time to back off. He almost relished in shooting her. But unfortunately he'll probably get away with involuntary manslaughter Disgusting!

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

They CallMe MRWILKES — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:08:10 GMT

The shooter has been charged with 3 counts of murder, not manslaughter. He was the aggressor, the victim posed absolutely no visible threat whatsoever, never threatened the shooter and brandished no weapon.

According to the first murder charge, Brock “did purposely cause the death of another.”

According to the second, he caused Hall’s death while committing felonious assault, and according to the last murder charge, he committed it while committing kidnapping.

All charges specify that Brock had a firearm and used it to commit the offenses.

He is also charged with 2nd degree felonious assault and 1st degree kidnapping.

Maximum life sentence.

Given the video evidence I can't imagine that prosecutors would offer a plea deal at lesser charges.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

BlueFinch — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:05:43 GMT

A horrible outcome resulting from targeted scam activity. If they can find those who were responsible for orchestrating this scam, they should be made examples of for all, that these scams will not be tolerated. Unfortunately, little is done, if reported, since it's becoming all too common.

Being the victim of a threatening scam can lead to unexpected behavior. A need to get even, to protect oneself. Then you have a senior citizen at 81, who may have felt even more vulnerable, or perhaps with some cognitive decline, disabling his ability to control his violent impulses. Of course he should have called for help, but it's clear he was pushed to the dark side. Once there, it's too late.

Then an innocent person pays the price for unknowingly finding herself in the middle of an escalating scam and attempted extortion. My heart aches for the Uber driver and her family.

So Uber banned the account of the scam caller and it seems authorities know who it was. So do they just get a hand slap, or what? They need to do some prison time, too, for instigating this situation.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

chrystaltree — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:18:35 GMT

I read that and I was horrified, disgusted and shocked. My heart breaks for that poor woman and her family. That man is no hero and not a victim. He calmly killed someyin cold blood. And she knew it was coming. There was no threat. No danger to anyone.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

Estellee — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:29:45 GMT

What a horrible story, this poor woman was an innocent. I hope the police are able to find out who is behind this whole scam.

Re: Scam Target Kills Unarmed Uber Driver

tansy — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:08:54 GMT

Have gun, will shoot. What a horrible, horrible story.

I have some sympathy for the man. At his age he most likely has cognitive issues but he needs to be held responsible.

More attention needs to be paid to the scamming attempts we all live with:/