|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (BFMG) — A 15-year-old has been charged as an adult in the shooting death of an Uber driver early New Year’s Day in Lawrenceville.
According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, officers responded around 5:20 a.m. Jan. 1 to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway after receiving reports of a person lying in the roadway. When officers arrived, they found 58-year-old Cesar Tejada of Grayson suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said Tejada, a husband and father of two, had been working for Uber that morning to provide for his family. Using Flock camera technology and records from Uber, detectives determined that Tejada had picked up a passenger on Rangewood Drive around 4:13 a.m. and drove the rider to Groveland Parkway. When the suspect exited the backseat, police said he shot Tejada, left him in the street, and later took his car and cellphone.
Officers located Tejada’s vehicle in the same area where the trip began. Detectives developed a suspect and soon identified 15-year-old Christian Simmons. Police said Simmons was taken into custody without incident and has been charged as an adult with murder.
“The Lawrenceville Police Department commends the outstanding work of our officers and detectives for their swift and diligent efforts in removing dangerous individuals from the streets,” the department said in a statement while extending condolences to Tejada’s family.
Tejada’s wife, Evelyn Tejada Tatis, described her husband as “the pillar of our home” and “an exemplary man.”
“He was a great father to our two children, a good son, friend, and human being,” she wrote. “He left the house that morning not knowing it would be the last time.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to support Tejada’s family during this time of loss.
