Brooklyn Dollar Van Driver Shot and Killed, Allegedly by Competitor, in Deadly Dispute: Cops
Shooting Occurred in East Flatbush
A Brooklyn dollar van driver is dead after a rival van driver pulled up alongside him in East Flatbush and allegedly opened fire after a dispute on Sunday, law enforcement sources said.
Preliminary Investigation
According to police sources, the brazen afternoon incident occurred outside of 837 Utica Ave. in East Flatbush at around 12:55 p.m. on January 12. Based on a preliminary investigation, police believe the victim, a 25-year-old man, was operating a dollar van at the location when the suspect, believed to be a competing driver, pulled up alongside and opened fire.
Victim’s Condition
Cops said the 25-year-old driver was struck in the arm. Seconds after the shooting, he crashed his vehicle into a nearby white car. Officers from the 67th Precinct responded to the incident. EMS rushed the wounded driver to Kings County Hospital in critical condition; he died just over an hour later. Police have not yet released his identity, pending family notification.
Image
The victim, a 27-year-old driver, was struck in the arm, sending his vehicle careening into a white car. Cops have not commented on whether there were passengers aboard at the time of the shooting.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Background on Dollar Vans
Dollar vans are an unlicensed transportation service that picks up passengers and drives them to destination points for less than an MTA bus. However, law enforcement sources say the operators have been known to get into disputes over territory and passenger pick-ups in the past.
Investigation Ongoing
While police reported that the two drivers got into some kind of dispute, sources close to the case also say investigators are looking into whether the deadly shooting could have been a result of either a turf war or poaching clientele. So far, police have not made any arrests in the case. Sources did not yet provide a description of the shooter.
Community Reaction
“This was an all too common scene in the 90s with the dollar vans racing up and down here picking up,” said Patty King, an East Flatbush resident. “I saw this happen so many times back then.”
Tips Requested
Anyone with information regarding this shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Conclusion
The shooting death of a Brooklyn dollar van driver is a tragic reminder of the dangers and disputes that can arise in the unlicensed transportation industry. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify the suspect and bring them to justice.
FAQs
* What happened to the dollar van driver?
+ The driver was shot and killed by a rival van driver in a dispute over territory and passenger pick-ups.
* Where did the shooting occur?
+ The shooting occurred outside of 837 Utica Ave. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
* Has the suspect been identified?
+ No, the suspect has not been identified by police.
* Are there any arrests in the case?
+ No, there have been no arrests in the case.
* How can I report information about the shooting?
+ You can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips.
