A Florida teenager has been arrested for allegedly gunning down a rideshare driver in the early hours of Saturday morning during what authorities say was a routine Lyft trip.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a shooting around 2:24 a.m. on May 24 near Wildwood Road and Emerald Cove Street in Panama City Beach. When they arrived, they found a wounded victim lying on the road. The victim’s car was discovered about 100 yards away.
The victim, who is believed to have been working as a Lyft driver at the time, was rushed to a local hospital but later died from their injuries. Their identity has not yet been made public.
Investigators quickly identified 17-year-old Brayden Raul Gomez as the suspect. He was located on Dorothy Avenue and arrested shortly after the shooting. Authorities say Gomez was being driven to his requested destination by the victim when the violence occurred.
In a statement, a Lyft spokesperson expressed heartbreak over the tragedy. “Our hearts are with [the victim’s] family and loved ones in the midst of this terrible tragedy,” the company said, confirming the rider had been permanently banned from the platform.
Crime scene investigators found blood and bullet holes in the vehicle. Wildwood Road was temporarily closed while detectives processed the scene.
A witness told investigators that Gomez had been “firing as he fled,” scaling a fence before vanishing into a nearby neighborhood. He has been charged with an open count of murder and is currently in custody at the Bay County Jail.
The senseless act has left the local community shaken. One Facebook user who claimed to know the victim wrote, “He was a good man and loved by his family and friends. Til we see you again in heaven. RIP. Prayers for his family.”
Another commenter, who identified as a fellow Lyft driver, noted that it’s not uncommon for teens to use ride-hailing apps through accounts registered to others. “The driver was likely just trying to make money because of the holiday weekend,” they wrote.
The case follows a disturbing trend. In recent months, two separate 15-year-olds — one in North Carolina and another in Washington, D.C. — have also been charged in deadly shootings involving Lyft drivers.
As of now, police have not released a motive in the Florida case, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Gee, I thought it was against the law for teens to have handguns. I’m assuming all these teens weren’t carrying rifles around with them.
Note it was never mentioned as to whether the alleged assailant was an American citizen, for curiosity’s sake with the last name Gomez.
Another trashy spik, who took a life.