Lawrenceville police identify Uber driver, teen suspect in fatal shooting

15 YO charged with killing his Uber driver

Lawrenceville police have identified a suspect, 15-year-old Christian Simmons, in the murder of an Uber driver, Cesar Tejada.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A 15-year-old boy is facing a murder charge as an adult after police say he fatally shot an Uber driver during a carjacking early on New Year’s Day in Lawrenceville.

What we know:

According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, officers were called around 5:20 a.m. Jan. 1 to the 600 block of Groveland Parkway after a report of a person down in the roadway. When officers arrived, they found 58-year-old Cesar Tejada of Grayson suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lawrenceville police discovered a deceased Uber driver in the roadway of the nearby 600 block of Groveland Parkway in the Meadow Grove subdivision Jan. 1, 2026. (FOX 5)

"It's a senseless act and not the way any family would want to start a new year," Lawrenceville Police Capt. Dena Pauly said during a news conference.

Investigators said Tejada, a husband and father of two, was working as an Uber driver to support his family. Using FLOCK camera technology and assistance from Uber, detectives determined Tejada picked up the suspect around 4:13 a.m. on Rangewood Drive in Lilburn and drove him to Groveland Parkway. Police said the suspect exited the back seat, shot Tejada, removed him from the vehicle and fled.

Authorities said the suspect returned to the area before abandoning the vehicle near the original pickup location. Detectives identified a possible suspect through the investigation and took him into custody after he was seen leaving a residence and walking along the roadway. Police said the teen was initially uncooperative but ultimately complied without further incident.

Lawrenceville police discovered a deceased Uber driver in the roadway of the nearby 600 block of Groveland Parkway in the Meadow Grove subdivision Jan. 1, 2026. (FOX 5)

The suspect was identified as 15-year-old Christian Simmons of Lilburn and has been charged as an adult with murder. Police said there is no evidence of an argument prior to the shooting and that the motive appears to be the theft of the vehicle.

Lawrenceville police credited the rapid resolution of the case to technology and cooperation with Uber, calling the killing a rare but deeply troubling crime in a city with a typically low homicide rate. The investigation remains ongoing.

Lawrenceville police talk about rideshare driver shooting

Lawrenceville Police held a press conference on Friday morning to talk about the fatal shooting of a rideshare driver on Thursday. A 15-year-old has been arrested for the driver's murder. Both the victim and suspect were identified during press conference. 

What they're saying:

"How can you be a human being and not freak out about this?" neighbor Justin Roberts said. "Because now, I have to live life knowing that a dead man died right there in the street."

An Uber spokesperson said the company is saddened by the driver’s death. "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," the spokesperson said.

Uber confirmed it has banned the rider account associated with the incident. The company noted it employs former law enforcement professionals to assist police with investigations and offers several in-app safety features, including an emergency button, GPS tracking and rider verification.

Lawrenceville police discovered a deceased Uber driver in the roadway of the nearby 600 block of Groveland Parkway in the Meadow Grove subdivision Jan. 1, 2026. (FOX 5)

What's next:

The investigation is ongoing. Lawrenceville police encourage anyone with information to contact the department.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.