In a heartbreaking incident in North Richland Hills, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, a well-known and much-loved Uber driver, 60-year-old Tahirou Diallo, was shot and killed while working late at night. The man charged in the fatal shooting is 30-year-old Kane Ellington Roden, who had reportedly never met Diallo before the incident.
The news has devastated Diallo’s family and the West African community in the area, where he was seen as a father figure, a mentor, and a man of strong faith.
What Happened?
On May 7, 2025, just before midnight, Diallo was driving for Uber and had a passenger in his car. Video footage shows him driving down Mickey Street around 12:01 a.m.
According to a witness, Roden stepped out of the car, walked behind the vehicle, and shot Diallo in the driver’s seat. The witness described how Roden held the gun with both hands before firing.
Police found Diallo and Roden near an SUV parked on the street. Diallo was declared dead at the scene. Officers say Roden appeared highly intoxicated, and they found a gun on the car seat next to him. He was arrested on the spot.
Who Was Tahirou Diallo?
Diallo was more than just a rideshare driver. To his family and community, he was a pillar of strength, a kind and spiritual man who always cared for others.
“He was the one who kept everyone together,” said his niece, Rabi Ba, speaking through tears. “Why? Why did you kill him? Did you even know he was a father and an uncle?”
Diallo leaves behind a wife and a 3-year-old son.
“He’s not going to see his son grow up,” added another niece, Jariatou Ngaruko. “When you take one person’s life, it affects generations.”
The Accused: Kane Ellington Roden
Roden, who lives near where the shooting happened, has a long criminal history, including 10 previous charges dating back to 2013. At the time of Diallo’s killing, he also had two open charges related to violence against family members and violating a protective order.
He has now been charged with murder, and his bond is set at $500,000. Authorities confirmed that Roden and Diallo did not know each other before the incident. The motive for the shooting is still unclear.
Calls for Better Safety from Uber
Diallo’s grieving family is now calling for stronger safety measures from Uber and other rideshare platforms.
“They check the background of the drivers, but what about the riders?” asked Diallo’s cousin, Ibrahima Diallo. “If Uber can vet drivers, they should do the same for passengers.”
Rabi Ba also questioned the lack of protection for drivers:
“How many Uber drivers have to die before they change their policies?”
Uber Responds
Uber shared a statement saying:
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the driver’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We are in contact with law enforcement and are supporting their investigation in any way we can.”
Community Support and Fundraising
Diallo’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to send his body back to his home country of Guinea in West Africa. As of Thursday, they have raised about $15,000.
“He always had a light,” said Ba. “I want to carry that light forward and share it with others, just like he shared it with us.”