UberEats driver wanted by police after customer shot dead in Atlanta

An UberEats driver is wanted by police following the fatal shooting of a customer outside an apartment in Atlanta.  

Ryan Thornton suffered multiple gunshot wounds after leaving the apartment to collect the takeaway from the UberEats driver at around 11.30pm on 17 February.

The 30-year-old victim received his order and began walking away from the delivery driver’s vehicle when he was shot multiple times in the wealthy uptown district of Buckhead, Atlanta Police say.

“As the victim was walking away, it appears words may have been exchanged between he and the delivery driver,” a police spokesperson said.

“Shots were apparently fired from the delivery vehicle, striking the victim. The delivery driver, in a white Volkswagen, fled the scene.

“When officers arrived, they found a victim was being transported to Grady Hospital in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim later died from his injuries.

“Investigators arrived on scene and preliminarily determined from witnesses that the victim had placed a food delivery via a smartphone app, UberEats.”

Police added that no arrests have been made and said the investigation is ongoing.

An Uber spokesperson said: “We are shocked and saddened by the news. We are working with police, and out hearts go out to the families of those involved.”

AJ Price, a Facebook friend of the victim, posted online: “Damn life’s crazy and unexpected. RIP Ryan Thornton.”

Vashti Starr wrote: “Omg! I just saw him a few months ago and he looked so good and was doing so well. This senseless violence has to stop!”

Issa Prescott posted: “Still in shock this is hard to comprehend.”

Mr Thornton graduated with a degree in political science last May and had just started a new job, local media reports.