Olusesan Oba
A 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji Bolaji, was tragically shot and killed while picking up a passenger outside a Philadelphia nightclub in the early hours of Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
According to the Philadelphia Police Department, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. near Byblos restaurant and hookah lounge on the 100 block of 18th Street. Bolaji, a resident of Norristown, was behind the wheel of a black SUV when he arrived to pick up a 22-year-old man leaving the lounge.
As the young man hugged friends goodbye and got into the backseat of Bolaji’s car, a dark-colored Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled up. Two men exited the vehicle and confronted the 22-year-old in what police described as a physical altercation. Moments later, at least four shots were fired. One of the bullets is believed to have struck Bolaji through the headrest, hitting him in the back of the head.
Despite his injuries, Bolaji managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a light pole on nearby Chestnut Street. He was found partially slumped out of the driver’s seat and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 22-year-old passenger also sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the arm, chest, and abdomen and is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts are being used in the investigation. The suspects were last seen fleeing in the Grand Cherokee, which reportedly had Massachusetts license plates.
Bolaji’s family described him as a hardworking father simply trying to earn a living. “Our hearts break for the driver’s family and loved ones in the wake of this devastating loss,” said a spokesperson for Uber, adding that the company is cooperating with authorities to ensure justice is served.
Fellow rideshare drivers and safety advocates have expressed deep concern about the growing risks drivers face, especially during late hours. Fabian Romero of the Independent Drivers Guild emphasized that drivers often feel forgotten. “We support Bolaji’s family. We’ll keep fighting for better safety systems so no one else has to go through this,” he said.
Residents and business owners in the Rittenhouse Square area, known for its nightlife and relative calm, said the violence was both shocking and heartbreaking.
“It’s devastating. People rely on Ubers to get home safely—this shouldn’t happen,” said Michelle Kao, a local business owner. Another resident, Mino Brone, added, “It’s scary. You never expect to wake up and see something like this happened just down the street.”
Police continue to search for the suspects and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
