The Seattle community is mourning the loss of a beloved rideshare driver, Amare Geda, 52, who was tragically killed in a carjacking incident. Geda, a dedicated driver for both Uber and Lyft, was identified by his family, friends, and colleagues, including Ahmed Mumin, the executive director of the Seattle Rideshare Drivers Association.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) discovered Geda’s body at the intersection of First Avenue and South Walker Street in the SODO district early Tuesday morning. According to the police, the suspect, who was not a rideshare customer, carjacked and shot Geda before fleeing in his vehicle. The car, a light blue 2014 Toyota Prius with Washington license plates BEP3940, was last seen heading southbound on First Avenue, passing Spokane Street, and entering West Seattle.
The Seattle Rideshare Drivers Association expressed their grief and concern over the incident on their Facebook page. They highlighted Geda’s dedication to his family, working two jobs for the past 14 years. He drove at night and worked at the airport during the day. This incident marks the second killing of a rideshare driver in Seattle in the last six months, raising serious concerns about driver safety.
Geda, originally from Ethiopia, had been living in the U.S. for over a decade. He was one of the first Uber drivers in Seattle and had previously worked as a taxi driver. He was known as a hardworking individual, dedicated to his family, which includes his wife and two children. The family spokesperson revealed that Geda’s car has not yet been found.
The SPD has assured that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to contact the Violent Crimes Tip Line. This incident follows the tragic killing of another rideshare driver, Mohamed Kediye, 48, who was shot and killed while on duty in September.
In response to these incidents, Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office released a statement expressing condolences to the affected families and communities. The statement also highlighted the city’s commitment to developing comprehensive safety solutions, including hiring additional SPD officers and building community-based partnerships.
Uber and Lyft also responded to the incident. While Lyft confirmed that the incident did not occur on their platform, Uber expressed their sadness over the senseless act of violence and offered their support to Geda’s family and law enforcement in their investigation.