Uber helps profile Michigan killer
Print Edition
AS authorities look for the reasons why a Michigan man allegedly embarked on a mass shooting spree over the weekend, the ride-hailing service Uber is addressing his record as a driver with the company.
Critics have said the episode could bring more attention to concerns about the fast-growing service, which has been dogged by controversy on the road to becoming one of the most valuable privately funded companies in the world.
Jason Dalton, the man arrested in connection with the Kalamazoo rampage that left six people dead, is a former insurance adjuster who had been working as a driver for Uber’s ride-hailing service. Authorities were investigating unconfirmed reports he might have picked up passengers in the hours before and after the rampage on Saturday.
San Francisco-based Uber has been one of the most successful tech industry startups in recent years, as millions of customers have flocked to use its app for hailing rides in 380 cities worldwide. The company said its drivers are independent contractors who use the app to find customers.
Private backers have poured more than US$10 billion into the firm, under terms that value it at more than US$50 billion.
However, since its launch in 2009, Uber has faced criticism for a pricing formula that can send rates skyrocketing at times of high demand, and for side-stepping regulators and licensing requirements. Also, after several reported assaults by drivers, critics have complained the company should do more to screen drivers and guard passengers’ safety.
Some of that criticism has been raised by competitors and regulators who argue that Uber’s success has come as the company has expanded while seeking to avoid the strict licensing and permit requirements that traditional tax companies face.
“I do think this is an outrageous incident that’s going to draw more attention to this issue,” said Dave Sutton, spokesman for “Who’s Driving You,” an organization backed by Uber’s competitors in the taxi and limousine industry, which has fought the company’s expansion.
Authorities identified Dalton as a 45-year-old from Kalamazoo Township who police said had no criminal record. They said victims of the shootings in and around the city of Kalamazoo had no apparent connection to him or to each other.
Uber spokeswoman Nairi Hourdajian confirmed Dalton had driven for Uber, but wouldn’t say whether he was picking up fares on Saturday.
Authorities, however, were investigating a Facebook post indicating Dalton was driving erratically at the time of the shootings and might have picked up at an Uber fare while police were looking for him.
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