Lyft driver shot, killed in Dayton; 4 juveniles in custody after SWAT standoff

DAYTON — A 35-year-old man working as a Lyft driver was shot and killed and police have taken four juveniles into custody stemming from the man’s death, a separate carjacking of another Lyft driver, and a SWAT standoff, according to Dayton police.

The investigation first started as a report of a carjacking involving a Lyft driver on St. Agnes Avenue in Dayton around 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dayton police Lt. Jason Hall said. The driver, only identified as a woman was robbed of her car, wallet, and cell phone at gunpoint by four people, Hall said.

Around 2 a.m., police were called on a call of a person shot in the 1000 block of Ferguson Avenue and found the 35-year-old man dead after he was shot and crashed his car into a parked car, Hall said.

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The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family and further investigation by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

“During this time we had two concurrent investigations, one by our robbery squad detectives and one by our homicide detectives,” Hall said. “Communication between those two units’ initial investigation did reveal these two crimes were linked,” Hall said.

The police investigation led officers to a house in the 300 block of Anna Street where the vehicle was located as well as multiple people inside the house that refused to come out, Hall said. Police surrounded the house for hours and later requested SWAT officers.

Four juveniles, between the ages of 15 and 16, were taken into custody after the SWAT standoff and brought in for questioning. All four have since been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of murder, Hall said.

Police conducted a search warrant at the Anna Street house after the standoff and found “additional evidence linking these individuals to both incidents,” Hall said. A weapon believed to be used in both crimes was recovered inside the house, he said.

“The (method of operation) that was being used was to summon a rideshare and then during the transaction robbed the driver,” Hall said.

Hall added investigators believe the juveniles were also attempting to rob the 35-year-old driver when he was shot and killed.

Hall said there have been reports of similar crimes in the area that have occurred recently and police are working with other agencies and partnerships for potential connections.

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“It’s absolutely tragic. A guy just out trying to make a living. It’s a horrible situation,” Hall said.

All four individuals were “known” to the Dayton police department for various levels of crimes, Hall added. Police believe all parties involved in the shooting, robberies, and standoff are in custody and investigators are currently not looking for any additional suspects.

In a statement to WHIO, a Lyft spokesperson called the killing of the Lyft driver in Dayton “reprehensible.”

“Our hearts are with the driver’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, as well as with an additional driver who was impacted by this behavior. We’ve reached out to law enforcement to offer our assistance with their investigation, and we’ll continue our efforts to combat this senseless violence and help keep drivers safe,” a Lyft spokesperson said.

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