San Antonio police are searching for a gunman who shot a private rideshare driver on Wednesday night after refusing to pay for a ride. The shooting took place around 9 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Laurel Street, near Woodlawn Lake Park on the city’s West Side.
Investigators report that the victim, a man in his 20s, was operating under an informal service known locally as “Hood Uber,” which connects drivers and riders outside of official rideshare applications. After reaching the destination, a dispute arose when the passenger refused to provide payment. Police say the passenger, described as a man in his 30s, pulled out a gun and shot the driver in the shoulder.
The wounded driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The suspect fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. A police helicopter and ground units searched the surrounding neighborhood, but no arrests have been made as of Thursday morning.
Authorities emphasize that informal rideshare arrangements lack the safety features, GPS tracking, and identity verification protocols found in regulated apps like Uber and Lyft. These “off-app” rides often rely on social media or word-of-mouth, creating significant blind spots for law enforcement during criminal investigations. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the San Antonio Police Department.
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