Uber passenger allegedly shot at driver during argument over politics, told him to ‘go back to your country’
A Florida man has been accused of opening fire on his Uber driver during a dispute that reportedly escalated over politics and religion, with the suspect allegedly telling the driver to “go back to his country.”
According to an arrest affidavit, 42-year-old David Stuart Stinson faces multiple charges, including firing a deadly missile into a vehicle and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, following the early morning incident in the Clearwater area on Sunday.
Authorities say Stinson had requested a rideshare from his sister’s home in Oldsmar to his residence in Largo. During the trip, the conversation between Stinson and the driver turned tense after political and religious topics came up, and Stinson allegedly learned the driver was an immigrant.
The affidavit states that Stinson then told the driver to go back to his country. The situation escalated further, prompting the driver to pull over on Belleair Road in a residential area. The driver opened Stinson’s door and told him to get out after he reportedly became more aggressive.
As the driver began to drive away, Stinson allegedly fired three shots at the vehicle. The bullets struck the rear of the car and the passenger area, but the driver was not injured.
The driver later told police he feared Stinson intended to harm him. Law enforcement located Stinson at his home, about two miles away.
Deputies reported that during the initial contact, Stinson handed a brown bag to his wife in what appeared to be an attempt to conceal it. Officers later recovered the bag and found a Glock-19 handgun and ammunition believed to be connected to the shooting.
While being taken into custody, Stinson told his wife, “I’ll see you in a few days,” and asked whether she had received the bag, apparently unaware it had been seized as evidence.
In a later interview after being advised of his rights, Stinson admitted to arguing with the driver about politics and religion but denied possessing or firing a weapon, according to police. Investigators, however, reported that a firearm was recovered and noted that Stinson was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time. It remains unclear whether other substances played a role.
He has also been charged with tampering with physical evidence and discharging a firearm in public. Stinson was released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting bond.
A court has since issued a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order, requiring him to surrender any firearms due to the alleged threat posed to the driver.
Stinson is scheduled to appear in court again on April 27.
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