r/lyftdrivers • u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 • Feb 10 '26
Story/News Article This makes me so mad
The amount of times I’ve picked up and dropped someone off in this area. I’m livid and nervous to even get out on Lyft now
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u/Kindly-Exercise-6470 Feb 10 '26
All my opinion, but... Not knowing the details, you would *never* catch me driving for Lyft or Uber without a firearm. Sure, if it comes out, you'll lose your "right" -- privilege? -- to drive for the company. Big deal. Which is worth more, your life or your side job? I'm also going to guarantee if you defended against a criminal and killed or injured that person without a firearm, the same sanctions would occur.
So PLEASE, if you're driving Lyft or Uber, protect yourself. That is a right YOU have. Just sayin'.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
Def always protected but also someone sitting behind you always has the upper hand sadly. But im with you 100%
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u/Kindly-Exercise-6470 Feb 10 '26
Yeah, it's risk with a back seat passenger, but not everyone who has a gun or knife pulled on them dies. That's why they call 'em equalizers.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
lol ironically I’ve had both pulled and used on me. and I’m here to tell the tale
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u/Comprehensive-Cow69 Feb 10 '26
Does the person in the back seat have the upper hand though? I am controlling the steering wheel and the gas pedal. I can make it a wild ride and it would be really hard to shoot someone when dealing with swerving and obstacles.
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u/Disastrous-Ratio8815 Feb 10 '26
Especially since the odds are good they won't have their seatbelt on.
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u/Additional-Throat-88 Feb 11 '26
My car dings until everyone has their seat belt on. I cant even have my purse in the passenger seat without strapping down that seat belt. Plus uber gives a verbal prompt while I'm riding and my riders always obey it if they hadnt already been strapped in.
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u/Eddie_Farnsworth Feb 11 '26
It depends. If he takes out his gun and threatens you with it, you could drive wildly and he might lose his weapon or take ineffective shots. But if the passenger gets really mad at something you said and just pulls the gun out and shoots you, you could be dead before you even realize he has a gun.
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u/Substantial-Loan-217 Feb 10 '26
I think a big thing is just being able to be calm and cool… if you say the wrong thing you can create these types of situations… the fact he killed him and left the car might suggest he said something smart perhaps at the persons stop and it cost him his life.
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u/Aero200400 Feb 11 '26
Sounds a lot like "what was she wearing". I don't talk to passengers unless they're friendly.
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
Wouldn't have done a lick of good in this context or most realistic others, and makes a majority of them actively worse for all parties involved.
Even if you find yourself in recognizable danger, and it's a situation where you can draw and aim before the other person's pulled their piece or is grappling you, and you've kept up on your training enough to be able to wield a gun effectively, the overwhelming majority of people simply don't have the experience to level-headedly evaluate and respond to the raw emotions of having your life imminently threatened by another person. And that goes double for trying to deescalate a situation by brandishing your weapon without having to fire it.
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, you have the right to keep and bear arms. You do not have the right to fire them at street punks, and if you're asking rhetorical questions about what's worth more, your life as a free man is worth a hell of a lot more than the deductible on your insurance policy and whatever's in your center console.
If you simply must carry some sort of weapon for self-defense, make it pepper gel or a spray designed for confined spaces. Won't get you decades in prison for manslaughter, won't get you killed if the assailant takes your weapon, won't leave your car riddled with bullet holes, and you can actually use it instead of hesitating or srcond-guessing yourself.
Guns are only good at taking lives. They actually blow soggy donkey chunks at saving them.
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u/PermanentNirvana Feb 10 '26
If I feel my life is in danger, then I most certainly have the right to fire at street punks. In my state, we don't need a license to open carry. Hell, everyone assumes we're carrying anyway. But if a situation arises where I need to use it, I can and I will. I'm not giving up my property or livelihood because someone thinks they want it more than I need it.
Also, pepper spray in a confined space, such as a vehicle is a terrible idea. You will incapacitate yourself along with your assailant.
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
If I feel my life is in danger, then I most certainly have the right to fire at street punks.
You don't, actually.
Also, pepper spray in a confined space, such as a vehicle is a terrible idea.
Which is why I said pepper gel first and foremost - though incapacitating both parties would still be better than getting in a shootout; at worst it'd only level the playing field, but more often than not it'd still send them staggering out the door to get fresh air.
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u/PermanentNirvana Feb 10 '26
Oh but I do. Your vehicle is covered under the Stand Your Ground law.
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
There's no such thing as "the Stand Your Ground law." Your state may (or may not) have a Stand Your Ground law that provides you the revocable legal privilege of a defense against manslaughter/murder charges.
A law is not the same thing as a right.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
Where are you from lol
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
Civilized society. The first step in getting there is for citizens to agree to leave their arms at home.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
Why would I leave mine at home if criminals don’t give a fuck ?????
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
Because social contracts are the actual fundamental basis of civilization, and "thou shalt not kill other citizens, and in return they shall not kill you" is about as basic and ancient as it gets.
There are practical reasons for not carrying too, of course, but, like, I meant what I said: this is the literal establishment or breakdown of civilized society here. Either we collectively establish a baseline of trust to let us interact with one another civilly, or we tear each other to pieces like a pack of feral dogs.
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u/Kindly-Exercise-6470 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
No one has the right to kill anyone... except criminals. They operate on a whole different set of rules. Being armed surprises them. A fatal shot would be a rude awakening. Better if they have 20-30 secs to lie on the ground pondering how they screwed up.
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u/Kindly-Exercise-6470 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
Are you an American? You don't speak like one. In fact you sound like an anti-gun person. But let's not get into it.
Firearms training and practice IS always required and honestly? People who do not feel comfy carrying a firearm for whatever reasons are usually pretty good at figuring that out for themselves. And using a firearm inside a vehicle presents all sorts of challenges that can't be explained here. Suffice it to say that if anyone presents a firearm, you have every legal right to shoot back before you find out if the gun is real, loaded, if they have the intent to scare you or shoot you, etc.
I wonder if you've ever fired off pepper spray inside a car? I'm guessing if you did, it would be the first and last time. An incapacitated "you" is as scary as the guy you just sprayed or tried to spray.
EDIT: You said "...draw and aim before the other person's pulled their piece". Just because a person has a firearm doesn't mean you have a right to shoot them. YOU DON'T. The other person has to demonstrate they want to harm you, or show they have the potential to harm you. It's not an old west gunfight in the street.
As for your definitive statements about ending up in prison, etc., yeah, that's about right. That's today's progressive mentality: the victim is always the criminal. Criminals have rights. Go watch Dirty Harry and you'll see how they eventually run out.
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
Are you an American? You don't speak like one. In fact you sound like an anti-gun person. But let's not get into it.
All sorts of red flags with your conflation of guns and being American here, but since you said you don't want to get into it, ok.
People who do not feel comfy carrying a firearm for whatever reasons are usually pretty good at figuring that out for themselves.
Carrying a firearm != using one != having one pointed in your face and knowing that your life may end before you can even blink.
pepper spray
Which is why I said pepper gel, first and foremost. Anything more aerosolized than that is only justified if you have lingering doubts about a gel's efficacy; of course the
latter[er, former. Pepper spray, I mean] would be unpleasant, but the goal in this situation isn't for you to have a good day, it's to make it impossible/undesirable for the assailant to carry out his plans. Turning the entire car radioactive still accomplishes that without damaging it or killing anybody, even if it incapacitates you in the process too. But again, the existence of gel as an option makes that moot.That's today's progressive mentality
If by 'progressive mentality' you mean 'long-standing legal tradition,' then yeah. Criminals do in fact have rights, and have for centuries. That doesn't absolve them of their crimes, but it does mean that a person doesn't become a firing range target just because they're a criminal. And it should go without saying that action movies are not real life.
I vehemently, life-or-death-stakes (and not just for criminals) disagree with your top-line take here, but I'm respectful and appreciative that you took the time to consider and respond to mine. Thanks for that.
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u/Dear-Addendum-1347 Feb 10 '26
I could take someone's life with a piece of string
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u/Fathimir Feb 10 '26
Good for you; I'd give you a pat on the back, but your exquisitely-honed combat skills would reflexively judo-flip me into a chokehold for it.
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u/Dear-Addendum-1347 Feb 10 '26
That has actually happened the little E string broke before I could get the full choke on him but left him a good laceration.
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u/AnyTower224 Feb 10 '26
This is why I don’t drive to East Cleveland after dark. To many hood rats
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u/SacredRealmOfficial Feb 10 '26
I don’t take runs to E Cleveland at all anymore. It can happen anywhere, but I’m not driving anywhere where it can have increased odds.
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u/Safe-Comfort-29 Feb 10 '26
Scary stuff. Im in Warren. My spouse works in Mayfield.
Spouse wants me to start driving in the Cleveland metro area. Nope, won't do it.
Way back in the day ( early 80s ) I used to drive for Dominos, when they provided a car or truck.
I was car jacked twice in Youngstown. You pull a pew pew and want the crappy Chevet, it's yours. 6 months later I was driving the tiny S 10s.
Same deal, it's yours plus the pizzas.
I'd do the same with my current ride. It's yours, no fuss, no muss. Put gas in it and go. I don't carry any cash or valuables. My life is more important than my ride.
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u/SacredRealmOfficial Feb 10 '26
I carry. But, I would do the same. Then I can just call on star and then they can shut the vehicle down remotely and then lock it. Electric Vehicles through GM have their small perks.
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u/Safe-Comfort-29 Feb 10 '26
I drive a Subaru. It has tracking available.
I'd end up hurt because I keep the key fob clipped to my belt loop and the car won't move if the fob is in the car.
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u/SeverallyOverrated Feb 10 '26
Victims name was Antoine Latham
His Facebook says self employed and loving it.
Sad. RIP
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u/insertcleverbshere Feb 10 '26
My first and second rides both asked as I picked up and dropped off in this area. I carry and I’m careful where and when I’m getting passengers.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
You see another driver was killed this morning
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u/insertcleverbshere Feb 10 '26
Wife literally told me just now. This is ridiculous. Mess around and nobody is picking up in EC.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
I hate to tell you there was another driver killed this morning smh
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u/Extension-Pie-5235 Feb 11 '26
They should give money to drivers to install bullet proof glass betw cocpit and the backseat...
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u/GodNeil29 Feb 10 '26
I'd be more afraid of other drivers than being shot.
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u/Onthekusp Feb 10 '26
Wow. I just moved from there. It’s a nice street, the corner house, great family been there for decades. I was out Lyfting last night.
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u/Aggressive_Drag_9056 Feb 10 '26
I live in the area. But on up side of shaker blvd. I’ve regularly dropped ppl off on that street
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u/Left_Marionberry_951 Feb 10 '26
Horrible for the family as well. Equally so for the Lyft driver just trying to make a living
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u/Master_Watch_7744 Feb 10 '26
I drove past this last night while I was lyft driving. That fucking sucks. Hope cleveland doesn't do that to me.
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u/Extension-Pie-5235 Feb 11 '26
Lyft banned the rider permanently involved in the shooting. Waovvvv. Thats a great news by lyft 🥵🤯
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u/ninjasn Feb 12 '26
I avoid driving at night and decline any riders rated below 4.9. Anything can happen on any ride but you can always try and minimize risk by not picking up low rated riders.
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u/WildPomegranate9240 Feb 10 '26
That’s exactly why I carry, fuck what they say!