Teen charged with murder after Uber driver shot dead in Atlanta-area carjacking

A teenager has been charged with murder after an Uber driver was found shot to death early New Year’s Day following an apparent carjacking in the Atlanta area.

The victim, 58-year-old Cesar Tejada of Grayson, Georgia, was a father of two who was working as an Uber driver at the time of the shooting. Police said officers responded around 5:20 am on January 1 to reports of a person lying in the roadway in Lawrenceville, a suburb about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta. Tejada was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators identified the suspect as 15-year-old Christian Simmons. Police said Tejada picked up Simmons around 4:13 am and drove him to the area of Groveland Parkway. After exiting the back seat, Simmons allegedly shot Tejada, leaving him in the roadway before fleeing with the vehicle.

Detectives were able to track Tejada’s car back to where the trip originated by working with Uber and using FLOCK license plate reader camera technology. Simmons was later detained after officers found him walking in the roadway near his home.

Simmons has been charged with murder and is being tried as an adult.

An Uber spokesperson said the company is cooperating with authorities and offered condolences to Tejada’s family.

"We’re saddened by this devastating loss, and our condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time," the spokesperson told Fox News. "We’ve been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation."

Police said the investigation into the killing remains ongoing.