New York City Sees First Homicide of 2026 as Uber Driver Killed in Brutal Attack
A devastating killing on New Year's Day marked the first reported homicide of the year in New York City, leaving a family shattered and the taxi community on high alert. Issa Mbolo-Isac, a 55-year-old Uber driver from Bronx, was shot and killed during a brazen attack by two men who attempted to force him out of his vehicle.
According to eyewitnesses, Mbolo-Isac had just finished up a long New Year's Eve shift when the assailants approached his car near Morris Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway. Despite trying to drive away, the driver was shot in the head, succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
Tragically, Mbolo-Isac was a devout Muslim who had recently switched from driving a taxi medallion to working as an Uber driver, having maintained a high rating on the platform. His friend Mansour Massamba described him as one of the kindest people he's ever known, never fearing to work overnight shifts.
The killing marks a disturbing trend in violence against for-hire drivers in New York City, with another such incident reported just last month when an Uber driver was stabbed and seriously wounded in Bronx. Taxi drivers are now on high alert, with many expressing fear of being targeted by assailants.
As police investigate the killing, they have identified Ehinel Troncoso as a suspect in connection with Mbolo-Isac's death. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and call their Crime Stoppers Hotline or submit tips online.
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspects' arrest, making it one of the largest rewards ever offered by the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. The community is rallying behind Mbolo-Isac's grieving family, with many paying tribute to a "great human being" who gave of himself to others.
The city's first reported homicide of 2026 has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and support for those working in the taxi industry.
A devastating killing on New Year's Day marked the first reported homicide of the year in New York City, leaving a family shattered and the taxi community on high alert. Issa Mbolo-Isac, a 55-year-old Uber driver from Bronx, was shot and killed during a brazen attack by two men who attempted to force him out of his vehicle.
According to eyewitnesses, Mbolo-Isac had just finished up a long New Year's Eve shift when the assailants approached his car near Morris Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway. Despite trying to drive away, the driver was shot in the head, succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
Tragically, Mbolo-Isac was a devout Muslim who had recently switched from driving a taxi medallion to working as an Uber driver, having maintained a high rating on the platform. His friend Mansour Massamba described him as one of the kindest people he's ever known, never fearing to work overnight shifts.
The killing marks a disturbing trend in violence against for-hire drivers in New York City, with another such incident reported just last month when an Uber driver was stabbed and seriously wounded in Bronx. Taxi drivers are now on high alert, with many expressing fear of being targeted by assailants.
As police investigate the killing, they have identified Ehinel Troncoso as a suspect in connection with Mbolo-Isac's death. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and call their Crime Stoppers Hotline or submit tips online.
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspects' arrest, making it one of the largest rewards ever offered by the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. The community is rallying behind Mbolo-Isac's grieving family, with many paying tribute to a "great human being" who gave of himself to others.
The city's first reported homicide of 2026 has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and support for those working in the taxi industry.
this is just heartbreaking, another driver loses their life on the job 
it's like, we're supposed to be the ones who are always safe behind our screens, but drivers out there are literally risking their lives every time they get into a car 
and now Uber's gotta offer a 10k reward, that's crazy 
I'm all for supporting the driver's family and all, but can't we do more to prevent these situations? like, more security measures or something? 
this is just so sad 
. The fact that Issa Mbolo-Isac, a kind-hearted individual who was driven to work by financial necessity, had his life cut short by two individuals who targeted him for his profession is utterly heartbreaking 
. It's particularly disturbing given the recent uptick in attacks against for-hire drivers, and it raises important questions about public safety and support systems in place to protect these workers 
. This includes providing additional resources for drivers like Mbolo-Isac, as well as increasing surveillance and support services to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future 
.
. We owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, and those who have lost their lives like Issa Mbolo-Isac to demand more from our city leaders and to support initiatives that promote safety, justice, and equality for all 
.
The fact that there are multiple incidents in one month is a clear indication of a systemic problem that needs to be addressed ASAP 
. We need better policing strategies, community outreach programs, and a stronger support system for our taxi drivers 
. Let's not just focus on the perpetrator but also think about how we can create safer spaces for these workers 
That Uber driver dude was just tryna make a livin' 
The fact that he had a high rating on Uber doesn't make it any better 
. Anyways, RIP Issa Mbolo-Isac 
. I hope the police catch these guys and bring them to justice ASAP 
.
. But when it comes to Uber drivers specifically, things are getting scary 
. Last month, another driver was stabbed 
and seriously wounded in Bronx 
. I'm also seeing some charts showing how taxi medallion owners have been paying way more in taxes 
. Anyway, the community needs to come together and support these drivers who are risking their lives every day 
That's some serious cash 
. And it's not just New York City - globally, ride-hailing drivers are facing a huge risk of violence 
. In 2024, a report found that drivers working for ride-hailing services faced over 1,300 violent incidents per month worldwide 
+15% from 2023
I mean, they're just trying to make a living, right? And what's with all these attacks happening in one place? Is it like, some gang thing or what? 
The city needs to step up its game and keep those drivers safe! 
gotta do something about it, can't just sit back and let this happen in broad daylight. 10k reward? that's cool and all but it's not gonna bring Issa back...can we talk about something else for a sec tho, hows everyone's new year resolutions coming along 
... what do u think is going on in NYC thats making ppl wanna hurt drivers?