An 18-year-old New Mexico man was arrested last week after allegedly confessing to the premeditated murder of his Uber driver.
Sheliky Sanchez was taken into custody at his girlfriend's home in Albuquerque early Thursday morning and charged with murder, armed robbery and tampering with evidence, according to the New York Post. The teen allegedly told police he killed Joseph Andrus to "let off some steam" after a stressful day.
Sanchez had asked his unsuspecting girlfriend to order him an Uber around 1 a.m. on Wednesday night, telling her he was going to pick up a friend's car. When the ride was suddenly interrupted, the company sent an automated call to check on the situation, prompting the girlfriend to contact Sanchez.
Victim Found Shot Execution-Style
Joseph Andrus was discovered dead around 3 a.m. on the side of a road after apparently being shot execution-style. His black Ford Escape was missing from the scene, raising immediate suspicions about the circumstances of his death.
Authorities found the stolen vehicle at Sanchez's girlfriend's residence the following morning. The discovery led police directly to the suspect, who initially denied any involvement in the crime.
Flimsy Alibi Quickly Unraveled
When questioned by investigators, Sanchez claimed he had slept through the entire night and never took an Uber anywhere. He insisted that friends had driven him around and that he had purchased Andrus' car with cash from an unknown seller.
Police quickly identified inconsistencies in his story during the interrogation process. The teenager's explanations failed to account for the timeline of events and the presence of the victim's vehicle at his location.
Confession Reveals Premeditated Plan
Under continued questioning, Sanchez allegedly admitted to the killing and revealed disturbing details about his motivations. He told police he had planned to "take his stress out on anybody he could find" and had deliberately searched through multiple rideshare apps before selecting his victim.
The suspect allegedly chose a random drop-off location and ordered Andrus to exit the vehicle before shooting him multiple times. According to the criminal complaint, Sanchez watched as the driver bled out on the ground after the attack.
Disturbing Comments About Victim
Sanchez made chilling statements to police about his interaction with Andrus during the ride. "He seemed like a good guy. I don't really go for good people," he allegedly told investigators, noting that the driver was "really cool and talked to him the entire drive."
The teenager expressed mixed emotions about the killing, saying he "felt bad for [Andrus] a little bit, but just getting that satisfaction out of the way." He described the act as providing relief, comparing it to "taking an in and out breath." Sanchez is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, as the case proceeds through the legal system. The investigation continues as authorities work to build their case against the accused killer.
Lessons to learn from this tragedy
While the circumstances of this case were unpredictable and profoundly tragic, some general precautions can help keep individuals safer during routine activities:
1. Trust but verify rideshare rides. Riders and drivers alike should use only official apps, share trips with loved ones, and be cautious of suspicious or irregular trip requests or destinations.
2. Pay attention to behavioral red flags. Sudden changes in tone, erratic behavior, or avoiding clear communication could be signs of deeper issues. Reporting concerns to authorities or rideshare platforms is always advisable.
3. Understand the limits of prevention. Sometimes, no steps can stop a determined criminal. We must never place blame on victims who were merely doing their jobs or living their lives in peace.
Why this story matters
This story underscores vulnerabilities within everyday services that many rely on, such as rideshare transportation. It also raises alarms around mental health, random violence, and access to firearms. The pain of losing a community member to a seemingly motiveless crime is profound and merits ongoing attention.
Conclusion
On a quiet night in Albuquerque, 18-year-old Sheliky Sanchez allegedly ordered an Uber ride with 52-year-old Joseph Andrus, later confessing to killing the driver in a premeditated act meant to relieve stress. Investigators say Sanchez chose a rideshare platform intentionally, selected a random drop-off, and executed the crime with a stolen vehicle later recovered at his girlfriend’s home.
Despite acknowledging Andrus's kindness, Sanchez showed little remorse and is now being held on multiple charges, including murder and armed robbery. The senseless loss has raised questions about safety, motive, and the unpredictable nature of violence.
