Nashville Uber driver fatally shoots passenger after alleged kidnapping

A 23-year-old man was fatally shot after an Uber driver in Nashville accused the passenger of kidnapping him at gunpoint, police said.

During a 911 call at 9:57 p.m., the rideshare driver told police on Thursday that Kyrin Gardner kidnapped him at gunpoint, Nashville police said in a news release.

At some point, the initial call disconnected without the dispatcher obtaining much information, police said. The driver called 911 again at 10:14 p.m. and said he shot Gardner in self-defense and gave the dispatcher his location.

When officers arrived, they found Gardner unresponsive on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, the department said. Gardner, 23, died at the scene.

Guns found at the scene

Officers found a loaded pistol on the sidewalk next to Gardner's body, while the driver's pistol was in the driver's seat of his Chevrolet Tahoe, according to police.

The driver told WSMV-TV at the scene that his initial 911 call attempt occurred in the drive-thru lane of a downtown McDonald's along Broadway, where Gardner allegedly demanded he stop. The driver then used the SOS alert on his watch and an Apple AirPod to speak with dispatchers. The call was eventually disconnected when the responding dispatcher couldn't pick up on the driver's quiet hints, he told the TV station.

The rideshare driver fully cooperated with the homicide detective and gave a statement at police headquarters, the department said. The driver told police he was giving Gardner a ride to a public housing area, but then the passenger became "agitated, pulled a gun and began making threats," according to police.

After getting the driver's statement, police released him. An investigation is ongoing.

Uber driver safety tips

Uber consulted with law enforcement to create several tips to help drivers stay safe while Ubering, according to the company's website.

• Verify your rider
• Stay focused on driving
• Protect your personal information:
• Spread the word to buckle up
• Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
• Keep your dropoffs legal
• Follow your intuition
• Be kind and respectful
• Give Uber feedback