An Uber driver was fatally stabbed Saturday night in New York City, according to local news reports.
Ganiou Gandonou, 27, was found with stab wounds inside his black Toyota Camry at about 9 p.m. in the Bronx, The New York Times reported. After bleeding heavily from his neck, he died at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, according to ABC7.
The police have released a video of a person of interest wanted for questioning and were offering a $2,500 reward.
Uber did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, but a spokesperson told the New York Times that the company was working with law enforcement in its investigation.
“This is a horribly tragic incident and our hearts go out to the grieving family,” an Uber representative said. “We stand ready to work with law enforcement to assist their investigation in any way possible.”
Multiple drivers have told Business Insider they are often fearful for their safety when driving. While traditional taxis in New York have plastic barriers between the front and back seat, Uber cars have no such protection, and drivers sometimes ride in the front seat.
Do you work or driver for Uber? Got a news tip? Contact this reporter at grapier@businessinsider.com.
Uber performs background checks on drivers, but no such process is in place for riders. Anyone with a credit or debit card can make an account, even with a fake name. Business Insider has successfully made accounts with fake names and taken rides on the platform within minutes of signing up.
A local drivers group was offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
“We are horrified by the death of our fellow for-hire vehicle driver and our thoughts go out to his loved ones. We must continue to do more to protect the safety of for-hire drivers,” the Independent Drivers Guild, which represents some 70,000 drivers for ride-hailing companies in New York City, said.
“We call on anyone who may have witnessed the attack to contact the police so that the culprit may be brought to justice. The Independent Drivers Guild is offering a $3,000 reward for any witness who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the killer and helps police bring them to justice.”
The driver’s widow, Latifatou Acimi, told the New York Post that her husband was a quiet man who worked hard to provide for her and their 2-year-old son.
“My husband was a very quiet man, a very hardworking man,” Acimi said. “He always said, ‘I’m working hard for my son so he doesn’t have to.'”
“I want to look that person in his face,” she said of the killer. “I want to know the reason why he [did] it, because I know for sure he doesn’t got any reason. He took the wrong person.”
Do you work or driver for Uber? Got a news tip? Contact this reporter at grapier@businessinsider.com.
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