New York City Uber Driver Shot Multiplie Times Over $23

An Uber driver was shot multiple times, allegedly over $23.

Jeffrey Cisnero Comacho, a 26-year-old driver, picked up a passenger in New York City early Saturday morning in the Bronx, who is accused of shooting him multiple times and robbing him, according to the New York Daily News.

When Comacho was dropping the passenger off, the suspect allegedly shot him at least three times and then fled with the driver's cash and wallet.

Comacho was able to flag down a passing police car. He was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Authorities later said that Comacho was shot seven times, according to the New York Post.

"All of this for $23. That’s what this city has come down to," said Fernando Mateo, the president of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. “We were at the hospital all morning. He’s got tubes going everywhere. Cops recovered three 9-mm shells and there are a lot of exit and entrance wounds." He added, "He’s very lucky to be alive."

Comacho's mother's boyfriend said that he tried to negotiate with the suspect. His car did not have a surveillance camera inside of it. 

“The guy said, ‘Oh give me the money,’” Enrique Jimenez said. “The son said, ‘You are the second person I picked up today. I don’t have the money.’”

Mateo usrged drivers to use tools like surveillance cameras to protect themselves.

“As drivers and as an industry, we have to do a better job of protecting ourselves,” Mateo said. “There’s is no way that a cop can save your life when you’re alone in the dark at 2 a.m. and someone pulls a gun on you." He added, "The driver has tools like cameras to protect them, but sometimes people take these for granted and this is what happens."

Comacho usually used the Uber app to pick up riders. It's unclear why he picked up a street hail. However, he was near his home and that may have affected his decision. 

Uber drivers have come under fire for street pickups, which enable them to circumvent the app and to make more money. The Taxi and Limousine Commission summons data showed that cars associated with Uber were issued 2,825 tickets between 2015 and 2016, as the New York Daily News reported. 

“Sometimes, Uber doesn’t give you enough jobs,” one driver explained. “Sometimes, you cannot even pay (for) your car.”

The federation of drivers is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that will lead to the suspect. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. Calls are confidential.

[Photo: Getty Images]