Olatunji W. Bolaji, 77, a Nigerian Uber driver, was shot and killed outside a hookah lounge in Philadelphia, United States.
Bolaji, who lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was on duty at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday when he picked up a 22-year-old male outside the Byblos Hookah Bar near Rittenhouse Square in Centre City, CBS News reported on Friday.
Police added that immediately after Bolaji picked up the young man, another vehicle came up behind his SUV, and two males got out.
One of them opened fire on both Bolaji and the passenger.
Despite being shot in the head, Bolaji managed to drive a short distance before colliding with a pole at 17th and Chestnut streets.
Bolaji was pronounced dead on the scene.
His passenger, who had suffered gunshot wounds to the arm, leg, and stomach, was taken to Jefferson University Hospital in critical condition.
Police say the shooting was videotaped on surveillance cameras, and the perpetrators were in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with Massachusetts license plates.
Authorities are currently investigating the rationale behind the incident. Investigators believe there may have been a physical altercation between the passenger and the perpetrators prior to the shooting.
Ride-hailing platform Uber has expressed sadness over the murder .
“Our hearts break for the driver’s family and loved ones in the wake of this devastating loss.
“We’ve reached out to police to offer our support as they work to bring those responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice,” the company said in a statement.
Neighbours have expressed sadness over Bolaji’s death, characterising his family as peaceful and hard-working.
A long-time family friend who previously lived with the deceased told NBC10 that he was a compassionate man who was always willing to help people.
He described the deceased as a hard worker, a kind partner, and a happy father whose son has graduated from college.
According to the acquaintance, his family is saddened by his death and is looking for justice.
A GoFundMe effort has been started to help Bolaji’s family.
The contributions will be used for burial and memorial expenditures, as well as living and counselling needs during their time of bereavement.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
