Ohio man fatally shot Uber driver after scammers targeted both of them, authorities say
SOUTH CHARLESTON, Ohio (AP) — An elderly Ohio man who authorities say fatally shot an Uber driver who he thought was trying to rob him after a scam caller deceived them both has been indicted on a murder charge.
William Brock, 81, also faces counts of kidnapping and felonious assault in the indictment handed up Monday by a Clark County grand jury.
Court documents did not list an attorney for him and a telephone number for Brock could not be located. He has pleaded not guilty and could face a life sentence if convicted on the murder charge.
The shooting occurred March 25 at Brock’s home in South Charleston. Officers from the county sheriff’s office responded there after Brock called 911 and said he had shot someone who was trying to rob him.
Brock had received scam calls from someone pretending to be an officer from the local court who eventually began making threats and demanding money, authorities said. The victim, Loletha Hall, 61, was an Uber driver who had been told to retrieve a package from Brock’s home, a request authorities say apparently was made by the same scam caller or an accomplice.