Gunman On Bicycle Fatally Shoots Uber Passenger In Brooklyn

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The search is on for the gunman who shot and killed a man sitting in the backseat of an Uber late Tuesday night in Brooklyn.

Police said the suspect rode a bicycle right up to the SUV, opened the door and shot Jorge Vasquez, 26, in the neck and chest.

It happened shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Bedford Ave. near Greene Ave. in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

Vasquez was rushed to Brooklyn Hospital but did not survive.

Uber shared a statement Wednesday, saying, "We are shocked and saddened by this terrible incident. Our thoughts are with the rider's family and everyone affected during this difficult time. We will work with police to assist with their investigation."

Neighbors were also unnerved, saying this could have been anyone.

"That is just very, very disturbing. So that means anybody could just be sitting an Uber, and someone just ride up," one man said. "Gives you the heebie-jeebies a little bit."

"I think it's particularly scary, because this is just like an Uber. You know, be careful," said Melissa Lozano. "I'm like oh my god, I'm always in a car at that time."

Matthew Natale told CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis he was about to take his dog for a walk when he heard three or four shots.

"It's scary. I hope that there was a witness in maybe one of the businesses around here that saw who it was so that they can find him," he said. "I'm curious to know why."

"I've lived in the neighborhood and I'm not afraid, but just like any place, you have to be cautious," said Diana Holder.

Investigators have not said whether this was a targeted or random attack, but they believe Vasquez had gotten into a dispute with someone before the shooting.

In:
• Brooklyn
• Bedford-Stuyvesant
• Marc Liverman
• New York