Gunfire before dawn turned a routine rideshare pickup into a scare on Ponce De Leon Avenue early Monday, shattering the back windows of a car but leaving everyone inside unharmed.
Atlanta police say the shooting happened at 699 Ponce De Leon Ave in northeast Atlanta, shortly after 3:16 a.m. The rideshare driver had just pulled up to pick up three passengers when, according to witnesses, someone opened fire. Officers arrived soon after and began their investigation.
Police say shooter fired at the vehicle
According to WSB-TV, the driver and passengers told officers the shooter was a man with dreadlocks who fired directly at the car, breaking the rear windows. They said they did not know him and moved to a safer location before calling for help.
Officers said they recovered a rifle and shell casings at the scene and dusted the weapon for fingerprints as detectives continue working to piece the case together.
How police are handling the case
Police have not announced any arrests in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Atlanta Police Department non-emergency line at 404-658-6666 or use the department's online tip portal. Detectives say witness video and nearby camera footage can be critical to identifying suspects.
Rideshare safety concerns after repeated incidents
The episode comes amid other recent rideshare-related shootings around the city, a pattern we have reported on before. For background, see Rideshare driver shot on New Year's Day. Drivers and passengers say these incidents are heightening concerns about late-night pickups in certain neighborhoods, and police continue to urge anyone with footage or information to share it with investigators.
