Miami-Dade County, Florida — A 33-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after deputies said he shot an Uber Eats delivery driver in the buttocks, struck him on the head with a handgun and threatened to kill him following an encounter involving the man’s girlfriend.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened early Monday morning outside the Pearl Dadeland Apartments at 7440 N. Kendall Drive. Investigators said the victim had delivered food to a woman at the apartment complex about an hour earlier and later returned in an attempt to see her again and possibly obtain her phone number.
The incident escalated when the woman’s boyfriend, identified as Khuslen Saruultuya, allegedly confronted the driver with a firearm.
What Happened Outside the Miami-Dade Apartment Complex?
An arrest report states that a sheriff’s deputy responded shortly after 3:30 a.m. following reports of a gunshot. A bystander told the deputy that a group had been involved in an altercation but had left before law enforcement arrived.
Around the same time, South Miami police reported that the injured driver had arrived at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital with a gunshot wound.
The victim told deputies that he had delivered food to a woman living at the apartment building approximately an hour earlier. According to the report, he engaged in a brief conversation with her and took an interest in her.
Deputies said the driver returned at around 3:25 a.m., hoping to see the woman again and possibly get her phone number. He was unsuccessful, according to the account provided to investigators.
As the driver headed back toward his vehicle, Saruultuya allegedly arrived in a Chevrolet Corvette.
Deputies Describe Shooting and Death Threat
According to the arrest report, Saruultuya ordered the driver to lie on the ground while pointing a handgun at him.
The victim complied, but deputies said Saruultuya fired a round that grazed the driver’s right buttock. The report also alleges that Saruultuya struck the driver on the back of the head with the gun’s buttstock, causing a two-inch open wound.
The situation reportedly escalated further when the driver was ordered to stand.
According to the report, Saruultuya pointed the firearm at the victim’s head and threatened, “I am going to kill you.” The woman allegedly witnessed the confrontation and pleaded with her boyfriend to stop, yelling, “Babe, please stop!”
The victim told deputies that Saruultuya chased him around the Corvette while continuing to point the gun at him. The woman reportedly tried to restrain her boyfriend during the incident.
The allegations are detailed in the arrest report, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system.
How Deputies Identified and Arrested the Suspect
Investigators reportedly traced the Corvette’s license plate to Saruultuya. After the victim identified him from a photo lineup, deputies went to his unit at the nearby Palmer Dadeland Apartments to take him into custody.
During what authorities described as a cursory sweep of the unit, deputies said they discovered numerous drugs and controlled substances.
17-Year-Old Kentucky Teen Runs Chicago Marathon Months After Spinal Injury Left Him Unable to Move
The reported items included Xanax, Adderall, oxycodone, amphetamines, ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana. Authorities also reported finding 16 Cialis pills and two bags of tusi, a drug mixture sometimes referred to as “pink cocaine.”
The discovery led to additional allegations beyond the reported shooting.
Attempted Murder and Drug Charges
In addition to attempted murder, Saruultuya faces charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and nine felony drug trafficking counts, according to jail records.
During a court appearance Tuesday, Saruultuya reportedly said, “Those are my prescriptions,” referring to the substances discussed in court. Judge Mindy Glazer then admonished him not to speak about the facts of the case.
As of Tuesday evening, Saruultuya was being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The charges remain allegations, and the court proceedings will determine how the case moves forward.
Uber Responds to the Alleged Attack
An Uber spokesperson described the allegations as “concerning” and said the company was continuing to investigate.
The case raises concerns about the safety of food delivery workers, particularly when a routine delivery is followed by an unexpected personal confrontation.
For now, authorities have outlined allegations involving a shooting, an alleged death threat and additional drug charges. Further court proceedings are expected to provide more information about the case.
What do you think delivery platforms and local authorities should do to improve safety for drivers making late-night deliveries? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
