Current:Home > reviewsA Virginia woman delivering DoorDash was carjacked at gunpoint by an 11-year-old -TrueNorth Finance Path
A Virginia woman delivering DoorDash was carjacked at gunpoint by an 11-year-old
View
Date:2025-04-14 21:41:54
A woman was delivering a DoorDash order in Virginia when she said she was carjacked at gunpoint by an 11-year-old and a young adult.
Deon Smith, 40, told Scripps News Richmond she was making a delivery to an apartment complex in South Richmond after midnight on Nov. 30 when she was approached by two people.
"When I was going inside I saw two kids outside," Smith told the outlet. "The little one approached me. I was thinking he was asking for money or something, but little did I know he was pointing a gun at me asking for my keys."
Scripps News reported that Smith tried to de-escalate the situation with the child that she later learned was 11 years old.
"When he told me that he was going to shoot me I was like, 'Are you serious? You want to kill somebody at your age,'" she said. "I was asking, ‘Where is your mom?’ and ‘Why are you out here this time of night?’"
She had kept her car running as made the delivery, and as she was in an exchange with the 11-year-old, the older suspect got in her driver's seat and called out for the child to get in.
In a statement released to USA Today a DoorDash spokesperson said: “Helping Dashers feel safe and supported is a top priority. This violent behavior has absolutely no place on our platform. We have reached out to the Dasher to offer our support and are in contact with local law enforcement to assist their investigation in any way we can.”
The statement went on to emphasis that DoorDash has a 24/7 Trust & Safety team available to assist dashers or community members in emergency situations.
Carjacking's on the rise:FBI agent carjacked at gunpoint in Washington D.C. amid city's rise in stolen vehicles
Police say suspects crashed and totaled car
Smith, whose full-time job is as a home health care nurse said the pair told her to also get in but she refused. Instead, she called the police, who an hour later told her that her car had been involved in an accident and had been totaled.
According to a GoFundMe site made on her behalf by family members of patients Smith has looked after as a homecare nurse, Smith had paid her car off just two months prior. The GoFundMe is raising money to help Smith get to work.
"Because she currently has no car, she is unable to get to her jobs, which makes it challenging to support herself and her 10-year-old daughter. All money raised from this will go directly to Deon so she can get to jobs, and support herself and her daughter," the page said.
The Richmond Police Department did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment but confirmed to Scripps News that two suspects, an 18-year-old and the 11-year-old were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash.
They were discharged from the hospital and arrested. They face robbery charges.
Smith told Scripps News that she was just grateful to have survived the harrowing incident.
"Just pray and ask God to protect at all costs, just to keep life, because a car can be replaced, but you cannot be," she said.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Juan Jumulon, radio host known as DJ Johnny Walker, shot dead while on Facebook livestream in Philippines
- Recall of lead contaminated applesauce pouches expands to two more brands: FDA
- Chile president calls for referendum on new constitution proposal drafted by conservative councilors
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Former Child Star Evan Ellingson’s Family Speaks Out After His Death at 35
- Chargers vs. Jets Monday Night Football highlights: LA climbs into AFC wild-card race
- It’s Election Day. Here is what you need to know
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Wisconsin GOP proposes ticket fee, smaller state contribution to Brewers stadium repair plan
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Americans divided over Israel response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows
- Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on climate change
- House advances effort to censure Rashida Tlaib over her rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Two alligator snorkeling attacks reported the same week in Florida
- Wisconsin GOP leader downplays pressure to impeach state election administrator
- Don't respond to calls and texts from these 12 scam phone numbers
Recommendation
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Biden administration warns of major disruption at border if judges halt asylum rule
Virginia's governor declares a state of emergency over wildfires
Family learns 8-year-old Israeli-Irish girl thought killed in Hamas attack is likely a hostage
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Kidal mayor says 14 people dead in northern Mali after series of drone strikes near rebel stronghold
Fantasy football buy low, sell high Week 10: 10 players to trade this week
Nike sues New Balance and Skechers over patent infringement