Introduction to the Case
A 16-year-old Dolton boy remains detained after he allegedly used a ghost gun to fatally shoot his Uber driver, whom he dragged into the street after planning to carjack him late last month in Chatham, prosecutors said Thursday. Demari Taylor, of Dolton, was arrested Tuesday at his home and charged as an adult with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and vehicular hijacking in connection with the death of Altmann Mnyuku, Chicago police said.
The Events Leading to the Shooting
Taylor and his brothers were at their home around 1 a.m. July 31 when the teen asked for an Uber ride to meet with friends in the city, Assistant State’s Attorney Eleanor Betar said during Taylor’s first court appearance Thursday. The Uber ride was accepted at 1:38 a.m. by 35-year-old driver Mnyuku, who picked up Taylor to make the 7-mile trip north, according to Betar.
Planning the Carjacking
During the drive to the 600 block of East 90th Street in Chatham, Taylor texted with a person known as “Trench” to discuss a plan to take Mnyuku’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee at gunpoint when they arrived at the block, according to Betar. Trench instructed Taylor to put a gun to the victim’s head and tell the victim to get out of the vehicle or he would die, Betar said. Trench also told Taylor that when he put the gun to the victim’s head, he would run up to the Uber, according to Betar.
The Shooting and Aftermath
At some point during the ride, Taylor allegedly shot Mnyuku and texted Trench that he “didn’t think Mnyuku would make it out of the situation,” Betar said. The Jeep drove slowly to a home in the 600 block of East 90th Street, where Taylor allegedly left the Jeep and dragged Mnyuku out of the driver’s seat and onto the street, officials said. Taylor entered the Jeep and tried to drive away but could not because the wheels began “screeching,” so he left it, Betar said.
Discovery of the Body and Investigation
A woman who was nearby in a Dodge Charger found Mnyuku in the street unresponsive and called 911, officials said. Mnyuku was shot in his neck and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:21 a.m., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Mnyuku’s Jeep was still in the middle of the street with the engine running when he was found, authorities said. His keys and an envelope he kept with $3,000 were missing.
The Use of a Ghost Gun
An autopsy determined Mnyuku died of a gunshot wound to his head, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office. A search warrant for Taylor’s home yielded a backpack with a loaded 9 mm ghost gun near the air mattress in the dining room near where Taylor slept. The gun was consistent with a description given by Taylor’s brothers, who knew he kept the gun, officials said. Ghost guns are firearms that buyers assemble themselves without serial numbers, making them easy to obtain and hard to trace.
Response from Uber and the Community
Uber spokesperson Austen Radcliff said in an emailed statement the company has offered support to Mnyuku’s family. “We grieve the loss Mr. Mnyuku and cannot imagine the pain felt by his family and loved ones,” Radcliff said in the statement. “We’ve been in touch with police and will continue to do whatever we can to help bring the individuals responsible for this heinous violence to justice.” Relatives of Mnyuku and Taylor could not be reached immediately.
Conclusion
The case of Demari Taylor and the fatal shooting of Uber driver Altmann Mnyuku highlights the dangers of ghost guns and the importance of addressing violence in our communities. Taylor, who has no prior criminal history, is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26. The incident has sparked an outpouring of support for Mnyuku’s family and a call to action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
FAQs
Q: What is a ghost gun?
A: A ghost gun is a firearm that is assembled by the buyer without a serial number, making it difficult to trace.
Q: How old is Demari Taylor?
A: Demari Taylor is 16 years old.
Q: What are the charges against Demari Taylor?
A: Taylor is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and vehicular hijacking.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and Taylor is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26.
Q: How has Uber responded to the incident?
A: Uber has offered support to Mnyuku’s family and is cooperating with the police investigation.
