Authorities in Indianapolis have brought charges against an Uber driver who allegedly admitted to raping and fatally shooting a female passenger he picked up. Per ABC News, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the victim, identified as 30-year-old Chanti Dixon, was reported missing on Monday before she was found with a fatal gunshot wound near a wooded area.
The probable cause affidavit stated that around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dixon requested an Uber to transport her home from work. But efforts to subsequently get in touch with her proved futile.
Her body was later found in an Indianapolis neighborhood, and police were ultimately notified. Police said Dixon’s suspected killer, identified as 29-year-old Francisco Valadez, was ultimately arrested and charged with her murder after detectives linked him to the crime.
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On Tuesday, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey told reporters at a press briefing that Dixon was picked up by Valadez “just prior to her murder.” “This is disgusting, it’s disturbing,” Bailey added. “No one deserves to be treated this way in our community.”
“This woman is gone from the world unnecessarily by an evil act,” Bailey also said. “I’m glad that we were able to find this individual as quickly as we did, so that he didn’t have an opportunity to perpetuate violence further in our community.”
The probable cause affidavit stated that Dixon had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head when she was found, adding that her two cell phones were also retrieved around the area. After he was linked to her murder, Valadez is said to have initially told police that a man shot Dixon in the leg while trying to rob her, the affidavit stated, per ABC News. Valadez claimed that the attempted robbery happened after he dropped the deceased victim.
The affidavit stated that Valadez ultimately confessed to opening fire on Dixon while they were inside his car and he was attempting to have sex with her. But that was before he shared two separate accounts of what allegedly occurred.
Uber in a statement said that it has since banned Valadez. “Our hearts break for Ms. Dixon’s family and loved ones,” an Uber spokesperson said in a statement. “The details of this act of violence are atrocious and we will assist Indianapolis police however we can as they continue to investigate.”
Assistant Chief of Police Catherine Cummings said the incident was suspected to be an isolated one. “As a woman, this hits differently for me,” Cummings said during Tuesday’s press briefing.
“Women, girls, mothers have a right to exist freely in our community without fear of something heinous happening to them. They have a right to walk, bike, order, rideshare without fearing something bad will happen to them. This is a family’s worst nightmare, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family during this trying time.”
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