An Uber driver and his teenage passenger were killed in a drive-by shooting Thursday evening in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.
Jassen Cho, 38, and Damarion Johnson, 18, were in a southbound Honda Civic in the 200 block of North Homan Avenue when, around 8:30 p.m., a grey SUV pulled alongside them and someone inside opened fire, police said.
The police report does not list a motive. Jennifer Garcia, Cho’s girlfriend, said police told her the shooter was possibly targeting Johnson.
Both victims were pronounced dead shortly later in separate hospitals, police said in a statement. Soon after, police found the shooter’s Hyundai Tucson, blocks away, abandoned and on fire, according to a police report obtained by the Sun-Times.
Police have announced no arrests in the double murder.
Cho was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital after the shooting, where he died.
He grew up in Albany Park and worked as a senior financial analyst, his girlfriend, Jennifer Garcia, told the Sun-Times. He had been working for Uber as a side gig for about half a year.
The couple were preparing to celebrate the one-year anniversary this weekend, she said.
“We were moving in together. We set a date in July,” she said.
Johnson was in the back seat and suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body, authorities said. He died at Stroger Hospital.
Johnson was a senior at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, 5088 W. Jackson Blvd.
In a statement, the school said the “entire Christ the King school family is grieving this senseless loss. During this incredibly difficult time, our priority is supporting our students and staff as we process this tragedy. Dealing with death is never easy, and it is especially challenging when it involves a young person with a promising future. Our counseling team is available for any student or staff member who needs a safe space to talk. Please keep this student, his family, and our entire school community in your thoughts and prayers.”
Garcia, 32, cried as she told a reporter about her boyfriend. She and Cho were active together, she said. He enjoyed working out and reading. They influenced each other. Where he was teaching her pickleball, she got him to go biking with her.
And he was loyal to his family and giving to others.
“He was there for everyone. Not just for me,” she said. “If you needed help, he was there.”