The community is reeling from the tragic loss of John Lucas, a 51-year-old Lyft driver who was fatally shot by a passenger in Guadalupe. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, friends and family remembered Lucas as a larger-than-life personality, an avid dog lover,, and a devoted tennis enthusiast. Kenny Mahan, a friend of Lucas and a fellow Uber driver, expressed the collective shock, saying, "I was shocked, just total shock. I could not believe that it happened."
Lucas's involvement with the Rehoboth Beach Bears, a nonprofit group that fundraises for charities in Delaware, showed his commitment to community, as highlighted by Mahan's memories in the interview obtained by Fox 10 Phoenix. The suspect in the shooting, 29-year-old Angel Lopez, has a significant criminal record and remains in custody on a $1 million cash bond, with a hearing set for Oct. 2.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene on Calle Bella Vista following a distressing 911 call, which led to the discovery of Lucas's body. Angel Lopez was apprehended the following morning after attempting to flee, as noted by AZ Family. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan emphasized the importance of community safety and swift action against violent crime.
Following the incident, Lyft released a statement offering condolences and support to Lucas's family and friends, asserting their commitment to cooperate with law enforcement, and confirming the permanent ban of the rider from the Lyft platform. For those with any additional information regarding the tragedy, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has encouraged reaching out to assist in the ongoing investigation.
