Miami-Dade deputies arrested 25-year-old Tyquan Lamar Howard on Monday, saying he is the man who opened fire on an Uber Eats driver in West Little River on June 18. Investigators say a bullet struck the delivery car but the driver was not hurt. According to arrest records, the driver told deputies he had swung back to pick up an order when the shots were fired.
What deputies say happened
Deputies were dispatched just before 1:15 p.m. after a ShotSpotter alert near the 2100 block of Northwest 79th Terrace and Northwest 21st Avenue. While officers were on their way, dispatchers were told that the driver had reported someone shooting at his car.
The victim told investigators he first saw Howard walking along Northwest 21st Avenue, then made a U-turn to return to a nearby Church's Texas Chicken to pick up an order. As he drove past Howard a second time, the man opened fire, the report states. The bullet hit the car's front driver-side tire and caused it to rapidly deflate, but the delivery driver was not injured, as reported by Local 10.
How investigators tied Howard to the shooting
According to investigators, surveillance cameras recorded the shooting and showed the suspect running away on foot. Deputies say the same man was later seen on video entering a nearby gas station shortly after the gunfire.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Howard's home on Monday and seized clothing, shoes and clear eyeglasses that matched what was seen in the surveillance footage, along with a gun of the same caliber, according to the arrest report. Miami-Dade jail records show Howard was booked on counts of premeditated attempted murder and criminal mischief and was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, as reported by NBC6.
Charges and court status
Jail records list one count each of premeditated attempted murder and criminal mischief, and deputies said Howard was ordered to stay away from the victim. Investigators have not released a possible motive. Court records show Howard invoked his right to an attorney after being taken to the Northside District Station. Local 10 reports he remained held without bond as of Tuesday morning.
Safety worries for delivery workers
The arrest echoes a February case that led to federal charges after a rider fired at an Uber driver, as reported by federal charges after a rider fired at an Uber driver, and highlights recurring safety concerns for app-based drivers. Both that earlier case and this shooting underline the risks couriers can face while making routine pickups and drop-offs across the county.
