Ne’Iani Allen‑Bailey, 20, has admitted to killing Seattle rideshare driver Amare Geda, pleading guilty Thursday to second‑degree murder with a firearm enhancement in a 2023 SoDo shooting, according to court filings. Prosecutors say Geda, 52, was shot while parked in the industrial neighborhood, then left behind as Allen‑Bailey took off in his Toyota Prius and cruised around the region. Under the plea deal, she faces 15 to 23 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on March 27. She also pleaded guilty to an assault charge tied to a separate graffiti incident, filings show.
Surveillance Footage and the Stolen Prius
Charging documents and surveillance video reviewed by KOMO News show Allen‑Bailey walking up to Geda’s parked car in SoDo, struggling briefly with him and then firing a 9mm handgun. Investigators say she ditched his phone a few blocks away, then used the Prius like her own personal ride, visiting family and even heading to a hair appointment in Kent. Seattle officers later spotted the car near a street fair at Denny Park two days after the shooting, watched it for a time, and then moved in to arrest her.
Arrest, Bail and Early Statements
As reported by KIRO 7, Allen‑Bailey first told detectives she had bought the Prius online. She later admitted the car belonged to Geda. A judge set her bail at $2 million after her 2023 arrest.
According to that earlier reporting, Allen‑Bailey said she drove the Prius through Renton, Kent, Skyway and Rainier Beach in the days after the shooting, tossing some of Geda’s belongings along the way. Drivers and community members later held a vigil for Geda and pushed city and industry leaders for stronger protections for rideshare workers, especially those on late shifts.
Court Filings and What Comes Next
Recent court filings say Allen‑Bailey has now formally pleaded guilty to second‑degree murder with a firearm enhancement and has also admitted guilt in the related assault case. Prosecutors say the plea exposes her to roughly 15 to 23 years behind bars, and she is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on March 27, according to local coverage that reviewed the documents.
King County’s omnibus calendar lists active case numbers for the murder and related theft charges and confirms upcoming hearings. Those entries are available through the King County Superior Court.
How the Firearm Enhancement Changes the Stakes
The plea deal includes a firearm enhancement, which is no small add‑on under Washington law. These enhancements are mandatory once applied and typically run consecutively to the underlying sentence, adding years on top of the base punishment. The state’s sentencing code, including RCW 9.94A.533 that sets out those adjustments, is published by the Washington Legislature.
At sentencing, defense lawyers can still argue for a lower term within the range, but statutes strictly limit how much a judge can shave off a firearm enhancement once it is in play.
Drivers’ Safety Concerns Still Front and Center
Geda’s killing became one of several high‑profile attacks on rideshare workers that reignited debates about safety, technology, and policy for drivers working overnight or in isolated areas. As KIRO 7 reported, drivers and advocates gathered for a vigil and urged public officials and companies to treat drivers’ safety concerns as urgent, not theoretical.
Family members and driver advocates have worked to keep Geda’s name in the public conversation while the case has moved through the courts. The March 27 sentencing will be the next moment for the community to see how the legal chapter ends. The plea may close the book on the criminal charges, but questions about how to protect people doing late‑night gig work in Seattle are still very much unresolved.
