On January 1, 2026, in Lawrenceville, Georgia (an Atlanta suburb), 58-year-old Uber driver Cesar Tejada was fatally shot by 15-year-old Christian Simmons, who has been charged as an adult with murder. Police responded to a 5:20 a.m. call on the 600 block of Groveland Parkway, where they found Tejada dead from a gunshot wound in the roadway. Investigators used FLOCK license plate-reading cameras to trace the events: Tejada picked up Simmons near Rangewood Drive around 4:15 a.m., and upon reaching Groveland Parkway, Simmons allegedly exited the back seat, shot Tejada, and fled on foot with the vehicle.
Investigation and Arrest
Lawrenceville Police recovered Tejada’s car near the pickup location and surveilled the area, leading to Simmons’ detention without resistance as he left his residence. Authorities found no evidence of an argument beforehand and believe the motive was vehicle theft—a “senseless act,” per Police Capt. Dena Pauly. Uber cooperated fully, banning the suspect’s rider account and providing data; the company highlighted safety features like GPS tracking, an emergency button, and rider verification, supported by former law enforcement experts.
Victim’s Background and Family Response
Cesar Tejada, a husband and father of two, was described by his wife Evelyn Tejada Tatis as the “pillar of our home”—a calm, hardworking man who rose at 3:30 a.m. daily for Uber shifts to support his family. A GoFundMe organized by Evelyn has raised over $8,000 (as of January 4) for expenses, emphasizing his quiet life and faith amid irreplaceable loss.
This case underscores risks for rideshare drivers, especially early-morning shifts, and Georgia’s use of automated tech like FLOCK for rapid investigations. As a legal professional tracking regional crime trends, you might note Georgia’s practice of charging juveniles as adults in serious felonies (per O.C.G.A. § 15-11-501 et seq.), potentially leading to life sentencing if convicted. Similar incidents have prompted calls for enhanced rider screening nationwide. Any specific angles, like legal precedents or safety stats, you’d like explored?
