Philadelphia police are looking for accused of K! The suspect of lling, a 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji Bolaji, was shot and killed by a 22-year-old man who was picking him up.
Police said the shooting occurred at around 2 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025, outside the Byblos Restaurant and the hookah lounge in the 100 block of 18th Street.
“It seems that there was some physical dispute before the shooting was fired,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The victim crashed around the corner of Chestnut Street near the shooting.
Police said it all started when the 22-year-old left the hookah lounge. Surveillance video was used as part of a police investigation and showed the 22-year-old saying goodbye in front of a black SUV, two suspects running towards them
Police said when he was trapped in the back seat of an SUV driven by a 77-year-old Uber driver, a Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled up behind them and two men came out and began fighting the young man.
Police said at least one man in the jeep fired four shots.
Investigators believe a bullet penetrated the headrest and hit the Uber driver of Olatunji Bolaji in Norristown.
Boraji was still able to drive for a short distance, then turn to Chestnut Street and hit the light pole.
“A 77-year-old male is half in the driver’s seat, with his upper body outside, lying on the street,” Small said. “He suffered at least one gunshot wound on the back of his head.
Boraji was announced as D3AD on the spot.
His family told Action News that they were heartbroken, adding that he was just a father who made a living.
“After suffering devastating losses, our hearts are broken for the driver’s family and loved ones. We have contacted the police to provide our support as they work to bring this heinous act of violence to justice.”
The 22-year-old was shot in the back seat in his arms, stomach and chest. He was listed as a critical situation in a regional hospital
Police said witnesses looked at the escaped vehicle, described as a new model painted with colored Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“It might be the Massachusetts label. We’re not positive, but it seems to be the Massachusetts label because there’s a license plate on the front and the back of that car,” Smott said.
Police said witnesses had seen the suspect’s car on Sasan Street for the last time.
Another driver on the bus said the driver who worked at night waited for the bar to close.
“I’m sorry that someone had to lose his life for it. I just hope this is not one of the people I’ve talked to before,” the biker said.
Fabian Romero, who represents the National Association of Independent Drivers, said safety is a major issue.
“Now, we are forgotten. No one sees what we live in everyday life. What we have in our daily lives,” Romero said.
Romero said they will continue to advocate for better safety protocols to protect drivers and honor Boraji and his family.
“We support them. If we can, we will do that. We will fight companies to try to get better systems or better ways to make a living for us,” he said.
People who live and work in the area say gun violence is disturbing.
“I woke up, and that’s the first thing I saw on my phone. There’s never a dull moment on the street,” you know.
“I think it’s devastating. A lot of people do walk back and forth, especially because of the train. I think you should be safe, especially in Rittenhouse because it’s a safe area. But it’s really sad,” Michelle Kao said.
