A 15-year-old from Lilburn, Georgia, Christian Simmons, faces adult murder charges after allegedly shooting Uber driver Cesar Tejada, 58, in the back during a ride early Thursday morning. Police describe it as a targeted carjacking with no prior connection between the two. Simmons reportedly dumped Tejada’s body on Groveland Parkway, stole his SUV and phone, briefly returned to the scene, then fled.
Key Timeline from Police and Video Evidence
- 4:13 a.m.: Tejada picks up Simmons on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn via Uber.
- Drop-off location: 600 block of Groveland Parkway. Ring camera footage shows Simmons exit the back seat, approach the front door, shoot Tejada in the back, and leave him face-down in the road.
- ~10 minutes later: Simmons returns to the area in the stolen SUV, pauses briefly, then drives off.
- Vehicle recovery: SUV found abandoned in the same neighborhood where Simmons was staying with “friends.” Flock cameras and Uber data traced it.
- Arrest: Officers spotted Simmons walking nearby, took him into custody without resistance.
Capt. Dena Pauly of Lawrenceville Police confirmed at a Friday press conference: no motive beyond wanting the vehicle.
Victim’s Background and Family Impact
Tejada, a father of two, worked Uber shifts starting at 3:30 a.m. to support his family, as his wife Evelyn detailed in a GoFundMe. She called him an “exemplary man,” calm provider, and main breadwinner—now leaving the family without “security, love, and protection.” Evelyn wrote: “He started his routine picking up a random passenger unaware of what was coming.”
Legal Status
Simmons, charged as an adult, is held without bond in Gwinnett County jail awaiting his next court date. Georgia law allows 13+ year-olds to face adult court for serious felonies like murder, especially with aggravating factors like firearms use. Check Gwinnett County court records or local outlets like Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
This case highlights rising carjacking risks for rideshare drivers in metro Atlanta—Uber has safety features like ride check-ins, but incidents persist. If you’re researching Georgia juvenile justice or rideshare safety stats, I can pull more details. What aspect interests you most?
