An 81-year-old Ohio man has been charged with murder after shooting a female Uber driver outside his South Charleston home. The incident occurred on March 25, resulting in the tragic death of 61-year-old Loletha Hall.
According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, William Brock mistakenly believed that Hall was connected to a scam caller who had been threatening him. Brock had received threatening phone calls from a male caller claiming that one of his relatives was in jail and demanding money for bail. When Hall arrived at Brock's residence in response to an Uber request to pick up a package, Brock shot her multiple times.
Authorities stated that there was no active threat posed by Hall during the encounter, and Brock failed to seek assistance from law enforcement before resorting to violence. Brock believed that Hall was associated with the scam caller and posed a threat to him and his family.
Brock pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder and was able to post his $200,000 bond. Uber has been cooperating with law enforcement and Hall's family following the tragic incident. The company expressed its condolences and stated its commitment to supporting the investigation.
Uber has taken action by banning the account of the individual who ordered Hall's Uber to Brock's house. Authorities suspect that this individual may have been the original scam caller or an accomplice. Uber emphasized its dedication to driver safety and highlighted the safety features available on the app, including an emergency button, route sharing, and access to live safety agents.
As of now, it remains unclear whether authorities have identified the owner of the account or made any additional arrests in connection with the case.