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The NYPD has released an image of a man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of an Uber driver in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx on January 1st. The incident, believed to be New York City’s first homicide of the year, has sparked a city-wide search and a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Fatal Shooting Follows Overnight Shift and Minor Collision
Issa Isac, a 55-year-old African immigrant, was discovered with gunshot wounds to the head inside his blue Toyota Rav 4 just before 7 a.m. along Morris Avenue. Firefighters initially responded to the scene believing it was a car fire, but quickly discovered the victim. According to investigators, Isac had just completed a 12-hour overnight shift driving for Uber and was involved in what appeared to be a minor traffic accident prior to the shooting.
Surveillance footage, described as dark and snowy, shows Isac reversing his vehicle when a man approached the driver’s side window and began striking it. Isac then sped off, and two individuals were observed running after the car.
Investigation Points to Road Rage as Potential Motive
Investigators are currently operating under the theory that the shooting stemmed from a dispute following a minor fender-bender. A senior official stated that the evidence suggests the incident escalated rapidly from a traffic collision to a violent confrontation. The motive remains under investigation, but authorities believe the shooting was not random.
Victim’s Background and Community Response
Isac had been working as an Uber driver for five years, having previously sold his taxi medallion to purchase a home. This detail highlights the changing landscape of the for-hire vehicle industry in New York City and the financial pressures faced by drivers.
An organization representing livery drivers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. This demonstrates the strong sense of community and concern within the transportation sector.
How to Provide Information
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) for English speakers, or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or via X (formerly Twitter) at @NYPDTips.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in bringing the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Ehinel Troncoso, to justice.
