Man Charged With the Execution of an Uber Driver

Albuquerque –

On August 7th, 2025, the Albuquerque Police Department received a call about a person unresponsive on the 400 block of Merlida St SW. When officers arrived they found a male in the middle of the street with numerous gunshot wounds and he was unresponsive. The man died on scene. A criminal complaint identified the victim as a random Uber driver who was picking up a passenger.

According to the criminal complaint, the Uber driver’s Ford Escape SUV was stolen from the murder scene and rider data was shared to detectives. The next day on August 8th, 2025, the Albuquerque Police SWAT team and homicide detectives descended onto a gated community home located at 10747 McMichael Lane NW to arrest the suspect. He is identified as 18-year-old Sheliky Sanchez of Albuquerque.

We were on scene shortly after Sanchez and his girlfriend were taken into custody by APD. We observed detectives focusing on a Ford Escape SUV in the driveway of the McMichael Lane SW address.

According to the criminal complaint, Sanchez ordered an Uber to come to a location around 2:55AM on the 7th. Sanchez said he filtered through drivers with the intent on killing the one he picked.

Sanchez said he “cocked” his gun to make sure it was loaded because if the Uber driver tried anything he would have the first shot off.

The complaint goes on to say that once they arrived at the drop off location he told the driver to get out of the car because he was talking too much. Once the driver was getting out of his car, Sanchez shot him “like five times.”

Sanchez went on to say the driver was lying in the street dying and he shot the driver once again. He then stole the car and drove off and picked up his girlfriend. His girlfriend stated Sanchez then removed the license plate at a park and he told her he had just bought the car.

The complaint goes on to say that Sanchez told detectives, “I felt bad for him a little bit, but just getting that satisfaction out, out of the way, It’s like a relief, Like taking an, in and out breath.”

Detectives asked Sanchez if the purpose of ordering an Uber was for a ride? or to just shoot someone? Sanchez replied “to shoot him.”

Sanchez was asked why he picked this driver to murder and he stated:

“I don’t know what it was. He seemed, he seemed like a good guy. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t really go for good people.” Sanchez then continued to talk about how he wished he picked a different driver that looked big and buff.

Sanchez was booked into MDC on an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.

We reached out to Uber for comment but have not heard back from them.

UPDATE:

The driver of the Uber has been identified as Joseph Andrus, following next of kin notifications, according to APD.

Uber released a statement which said “We are shocked and heartbroken for Joseph’s family and loved ones after this senseless attack. We’ve been in contact with the police and are grateful for their work to bring those responsible to justice.”