An 81-year-old Ohio man has been charged with murder after reportedly killing an Uber driver who believed she was picking up a package from his home. Both looked to be victims of scam phone calls, according to a news release from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Loletha Hall, an Uber driver, was found shot numerous times near 81-year-old William Brock’s South Charleston house on March 25. According to a police report, Brock had called 911, had head and ear injuries, and was bleeding when officers arrived.
Hall, a Black lady, was brought to a hospital in Dayton, where she died from her injuries.
Investigators determined that Brock had previously received a hoax call regarding an incarcerated relative that included threats and demands for money.
According to a police report, an unknown man called Brock and informed him that he needed to pay $12,000 to get his nephew out of jail. Brock informed police that the caller threatened to kill him and his nephew if he did not pay the ransom, according to the report.
According to authorities, the same caller or an accomplice later hired Hall to pick up a box from Brock’s home via the Uber app. The sheriff’s office stated that Hall was unaware of Brock’s threat.
“Ms. Hall, suffering from medical conditions and unarmed, made no threats or assaults toward Mr. Brock, and made no demands, other than to ask about the package she was sent to retrieve,” the sheriff’s office stated in a statement.
Brock allegedly held Hall at gunpoint and demanded to know who had called him. He then snatched Hall’s phone and refused to let her go, according to officials, who added that Brock did not attempt to contact police at this time.
Brock allegedly shot Hall as she attempted to get back into her vehicle, resulting in a “subsequent scuffle at the door of Ms. Hall’s vehicle,” according to the sheriff’s office. Brock allegedly shot her two more times before dialing 911.
Brock is charged with murder, a crime punishable by 15 to life in prison, according to court documents. Police are considering more charges. Brock pled not guilty, and bail was set at $200,000, according to court documents.
Officials are still looking for the scam calls.
“The Clark County Sheriff’s Office would like to take the opportunity to again remind residents, especially our older citizens, that no Law Enforcement Agency or Court will make contact with anyone in the manner of this case to solicit cash for bail,” the sheriff’s office said. It also urged people “to use extreme caution when being contacted unexpectedly by subjects claiming to be relatives incarcerated in a correctional facility.”