Lyft driver accused of pointing gun at passengers

ELM GROVE, WI (CBS 58) -- A Lyft driver is accused of brandishing a handgun at two passengers in Elm Grove Friday night.   According to the Elm Grove Police, the driver, a 47-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested early Saturday morning and is facing possible charges of endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and intentionally pointing a firearm at another person.

The incident began around 10:20 PM Friday when two employees of the Silver Spur Texas Smokehouse BBQ in Elm Grove requested a Lyft driver.   During the ride, the passengers and driver got into an argument over a U-turn.   According to the Police report, the driver told the passengers that he did not need instructions on how to drive.

After they got out of the vehicle, the driver is accused of nearly hitting one of the individuals with the car and then racking the slide on a handgun and pointing the weapon at the pair stating “I’ll blow your head off you…”

The driver then fled the area.   He was later arrested and was taken to the Waukesha County Jail.

The Elm Grove Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Saturday afternoon, CBS 58 received this comment from Lyft corporate headquarters regarding the incident.

“Safety is fundamental to Lyft. The behavior described is unacceptable and the driver’s access to Lyft has been permanently removed. We responded immediately and have been in close contact with the rider since the incident. We stand ready to assist the authorities and will continue to help in every way we can.”

The company also stressed that safety is fundamental to Lyft.   "We do not tolerate harassment or violence on our platform, and such behavior can and does lead to bans from our service."   Lyft screens all driver applicants or criminal offenses and driving incidents and that any driver who does not pass both the annual and continuous screening is barred from the Lyft platform.   

Lyft said that, "Both riders and drivers can report incidents to our dedicated Trust & Safety team available through a 24/7 Critical Response Line so that we can take action-- including investigating and working with law enforcement when appropriate-- to help to keep our community safe."

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