Topline: Authorities say the teen allegedly shot the driver during an early-morning ride on New Year’s Day and stole the vehicle before abandoning the victim.
Published: January 3, 2026 8:08 am ET
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LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A 15-year-old boy is accused of killing an Uber driver in Lawrenceville early New Year’s Day, a crime investigators say was committed solely to steal the victim’s vehicle.
According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, officers were dispatched just after 5:20 a.m. on Jan. 1 to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway following a report of a person lying unresponsive in the street. When officers arrived, they found a deceased man who had suffered at least one gunshot wound, police said in a news release.
Investigators quickly turned to nearby technology for answers. The department said Ring doorbell video captured a black SUV stopping in the roadway, dropping off the victim and driving away. Using investigative technology, detectives determined the SUV belonged to the victim himself. Police later concluded the 58-year-old man, who was working as an Uber driver, had been carjacked and killed, according to the department.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Lawrenceville police later identified the victim as Cesar Tejada of Grayson. Police described the killing as “senseless,” saying Tejada was simply trying to provide for his family while working early Thursday morning.
Captain Dena Pauly, the department’s public information officer, told reporters that detectives reviewed Flock safety camera data alongside Ring footage to reconstruct Tejada’s final hours. According to Pauly, Uber records showed Tejada picked up a passenger at 4:13 a.m. on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn and drove him to Groveland Parkway. Ring video from the neighborhood shows the passenger exiting the back seat, walking to the driver’s side door and shooting Tejada, investigators said.
Police said the suspect then removed Tejada from the vehicle and left the area. About 10 minutes later, the suspect returned before driving back toward Lilburn, Pauly said. Using camera footage, license plate data and assistance from Uber, detectives tracked the vehicle to a residence on Hardwood Circle in Lilburn, near where the ride began.
The Lawrenceville Police Department said a 15-year-old male was taken into custody at that location around 1 p.m. and charged as an adult with murder. CBS News Atlanta identified the suspect as Christian Simmons of Lilburn. Police said the teen was initially uncooperative but ultimately complied and was taken into custody without further incident. Authorities said there is no indication of an argument and believe the shooting was carried out solely to steal the vehicle.
Tejada had no connection to the Groveland Parkway neighborhood, Pauly said, noting that he lived in Grayson and was working to earn extra money for his family. “This is not the way any family would want to start a new year,” Pauly said during a news conference, offering condolences to Tejada’s loved ones.
In a statement shared with CBS News Atlanta, an Uber spokesperson said, “We’re saddened by this devastating loss, and our condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We’ve been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation.” Uber also said the rider’s account has been banned.
Lawrenceville police emphasized that violent crime in the city is rare and said they remain committed to protecting the community. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the Lawrenceville Police Department.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police: 15-Year-Old Killed Uber Driver to Steal Vehicle on New Year’s Day
Authorities say the teen allegedly shot the driver during an early-morning ride on New Year’s Day and stole the vehicle before abandoning the victim.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 3, 2026 8:08 am ET
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A 15-year-old boy is accused of killing an Uber driver in Lawrenceville early New Year’s Day, a crime investigators say was committed solely to steal the victim’s vehicle.
According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, officers were dispatched just after 5:20 a.m. on Jan. 1 to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway following a report of a person lying unresponsive in the street. When officers arrived, they found a deceased man who had suffered at least one gunshot wound, police said in a news release.
Investigators quickly turned to nearby technology for answers. The department said Ring doorbell video captured a black SUV stopping in the roadway, dropping off the victim and driving away. Using investigative technology, detectives determined the SUV belonged to the victim himself. Police later concluded the 58-year-old man, who was working as an Uber driver, had been carjacked and killed, according to the department.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Lawrenceville police later identified the victim as Cesar Tejada of Grayson. Police described the killing as “senseless,” saying Tejada was simply trying to provide for his family while working early Thursday morning.
Captain Dena Pauly, the department’s public information officer, told reporters that detectives reviewed Flock safety camera data alongside Ring footage to reconstruct Tejada’s final hours. According to Pauly, Uber records showed Tejada picked up a passenger at 4:13 a.m. on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn and drove him to Groveland Parkway. Ring video from the neighborhood shows the passenger exiting the back seat, walking to the driver’s side door and shooting Tejada, investigators said.
Police said the suspect then removed Tejada from the vehicle and left the area. About 10 minutes later, the suspect returned before driving back toward Lilburn, Pauly said. Using camera footage, license plate data and assistance from Uber, detectives tracked the vehicle to a residence on Hardwood Circle in Lilburn, near where the ride began.
The Lawrenceville Police Department said a 15-year-old male was taken into custody at that location around 1 p.m. and charged as an adult with murder. CBS News Atlanta identified the suspect as Christian Simmons of Lilburn. Police said the teen was initially uncooperative but ultimately complied and was taken into custody without further incident. Authorities said there is no indication of an argument and believe the shooting was carried out solely to steal the vehicle.
Tejada had no connection to the Groveland Parkway neighborhood, Pauly said, noting that he lived in Grayson and was working to earn extra money for his family. “This is not the way any family would want to start a new year,” Pauly said during a news conference, offering condolences to Tejada’s loved ones.
In a statement shared with CBS News Atlanta, an Uber spokesperson said, “We’re saddened by this devastating loss, and our condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We’ve been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation.” Uber also said the rider’s account has been banned.
Lawrenceville police emphasized that violent crime in the city is rare and said they remain committed to protecting the community. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the Lawrenceville Police Department.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: 15-Year-Old Killed Uber Driver to Steal Vehicle on New Year’s Day
Authorities say the teen allegedly shot the driver during an early-morning ride on New Year’s Day and stole the vehicle before abandoning the victim.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 3, 2026 8:08 am ET
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A 15-year-old boy is accused of killing an Uber driver in Lawrenceville early New Year’s Day, a crime investigators say was committed solely to steal the victim’s vehicle.
According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, officers were dispatched just after 5:20 a.m. on Jan. 1 to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway following a report of a person lying unresponsive in the street. When officers arrived, they found a deceased man who had suffered at least one gunshot wound, police said in a news release.
Investigators quickly turned to nearby technology for answers. The department said Ring doorbell video captured a black SUV stopping in the roadway, dropping off the victim and driving away. Using investigative technology, detectives determined the SUV belonged to the victim himself. Police later concluded the 58-year-old man, who was working as an Uber driver, had been carjacked and killed, according to the department.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Lawrenceville police later identified the victim as Cesar Tejada of Grayson. Police described the killing as “senseless,” saying Tejada was simply trying to provide for his family while working early Thursday morning.
Captain Dena Pauly, the department’s public information officer, told reporters that detectives reviewed Flock safety camera data alongside Ring footage to reconstruct Tejada’s final hours. According to Pauly, Uber records showed Tejada picked up a passenger at 4:13 a.m. on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn and drove him to Groveland Parkway. Ring video from the neighborhood shows the passenger exiting the back seat, walking to the driver’s side door and shooting Tejada, investigators said.
Police said the suspect then removed Tejada from the vehicle and left the area. About 10 minutes later, the suspect returned before driving back toward Lilburn, Pauly said. Using camera footage, license plate data and assistance from Uber, detectives tracked the vehicle to a residence on Hardwood Circle in Lilburn, near where the ride began.
The Lawrenceville Police Department said a 15-year-old male was taken into custody at that location around 1 p.m. and charged as an adult with murder. CBS News Atlanta identified the suspect as Christian Simmons of Lilburn. Police said the teen was initially uncooperative but ultimately complied and was taken into custody without further incident. Authorities said there is no indication of an argument and believe the shooting was carried out solely to steal the vehicle.
Tejada had no connection to the Groveland Parkway neighborhood, Pauly said, noting that he lived in Grayson and was working to earn extra money for his family. “This is not the way any family would want to start a new year,” Pauly said during a news conference, offering condolences to Tejada’s loved ones.
In a statement shared with CBS News Atlanta, an Uber spokesperson said, “We’re saddened by this devastating loss, and our condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We’ve been in contact with the Lawrenceville Police Department to help support their investigation.” Uber also said the rider’s account has been banned.
Lawrenceville police emphasized that violent crime in the city is rare and said they remain committed to protecting the community. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the Lawrenceville Police Department.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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