Elijah Newman a Ghanaian father of five was shot and killed in the Baden St. Louis USA Thursday night while working as a Lyft driver, Whatsup News has gathered.
The 45-year-old father was reportedly shot in the torso around 11 p.m. along the 1200 Block of Peggy Court in the Baden neighborhood.
Newman reportedly died at the scene as his family was thrown into devastation.
Homicide detectives are still trying to piece together exactly what lead up to the deadly shooting.
But reports picked up by Whatsup News indicate that the deceased may have been shot by a 17-year-old American teenager Torian Wilson, who has been charged with the murder.
Family and friends describe Newman as a loving father and devoted husband whom they’ll forever cherish.
“He just wanted to come to St. Louis to have a new start. He was driving Lyft and, unfortunately, he lost his life,” said friend Elizabeth Hylton.
Hylton has created a GoFundMe to help cover the funeral expenses for the family.
Newman had moved to St. Peters from Ghana several years ago and was working as a Lyft driver for long hours to help raise enough money to bring his five kids in Ghana to the United States.
“That was his goal in life, to make sure his family was going to be successful and his family and children would thrive in life,” Hylton said.
Lyft released a statement late Friday afternoon stating: “We are heartbroken by this tragic incident and our hearts are with Elijah’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Safety is fundamental to Lyft and we stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation.”