A routine midday pickup turned violent in East Germantown on Wednesday when a car service driver was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery. The driver, who had pulled over to pick up a passenger, remains in stable condition at Albert Einstein Medical Center, according to police.
Witnesses and investigators say a teenaged suspect first opened a rear door of the vehicle, then moved to the front passenger side, announced a robbery and pulled a gun. When the driver tried to take off, a single shot was fired, hitting him in the chest. Police say no property was taken before the suspect took off.
Police response and suspect details
Officers from the 14th District were initially called to the 5700 block of Boyer Street around 12:09 p.m., but later determined the shooting had actually taken place on the 900 block of East Price Street. The driver’s black 2022 Honda CR‑V was found there, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia.
Medical crews at the scene first suspected the man had been stabbed, but later confirmed he had been shot and rushed him to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
Police describe the suspect as a Black male about 16 to 18 years old with a thin build and a clean‑shaven face. He was last seen wearing a red‑and‑black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Neighbors and family accounts
Neighbors said they heard a single popping sound in the middle of the day and quickly realized something was wrong. Several residents described feeling rattled by the brazen daylight attack on an otherwise quiet block.
The victim’s daughter told reporters her father drives for a private car service and said the passenger had asked him for change just before the confrontation escalated, WPVI/6abc reported. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood for surveillance footage and were seen dusting the vehicle for fingerprints as residents watched a growing team of investigators work the scene.
A pattern of attacks on drivers
The shooting comes as drivers who make a living picking up passengers are voicing concerns about their safety. On June 20, a rideshare driver was shot during an attempted robbery in the Fairmount neighborhood, a case that underscored similar risks for people who spend long hours waiting at curbs or pulling up to unfamiliar addresses, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
For many in the industry, the string of incidents has been a stark reminder to stay alert, especially during solo pickups and late‑night calls.
Investigation and how to help
The city’s Shooting Investigation Group is leading the probe, and police are urging anyone with information to step forward, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. Tipsters can also reach out directly to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Investigators are especially interested in any video or eyewitness accounts from the 900 block of East Price Street around the time of the shooting. Anyone with footage from a doorbell camera, security system or cellphone is asked to contact detectives.
