A New Mexico teen is being charged with murder after allegedly shooting his Uber driver to death. The teen, Sheliky Sanchez, reportedly didn’t have much of a motive — he claimed that his sole reason for committing the killing was because he needed to calm down. Although he did choose his target, they didn’t know each other previously. The Uber driver had no idea that ride would be his last.
In the early hours of August 7, 2025, Sanchez, 18, reportedly asked his girlfriend to order him an Uber, according to KRQE. The driver, Joseph Andrus, picked him up at Sanchez’s home, planning to take the teen to a location the teen randomly chose.
According to the Albuquerque Police Department, when the teen and driver arrived at the site, Sanchez ordered Andrus out of the car and then shot Andrus multiple times. Police were notified about the shooting thanks to a ShotSpotter device in the area, KOAT reported. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Andrus, who was already dead.
Sanchez allegedly stole Andrus’ car, driving it back to his girlfriend’s house. Police were able to trace the car back to the home, and once SWAT knew the couple were inside, both were arrested, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
During questioning, after lying and claiming Andrus’ car was his own, Sanchez reportedly told police he shot the Uber driver because he was stressed and needed to “let off some steam.” He told them he planned to either steal a vehicle or shoot a driver, according to the Journal.
“He couldn’t take it out on certain people, so he wanted to take it out on anybody he could find,” a criminal complaint against Sanchez read, per the Journal. The teen told police he looked through several Uber drivers he could potentially kill before choosing Andrus.
“I don’t know what it was,” Sanchez said of Andrus. “He seemed like a good guy. I don’t really go for good people.”
Police said Sanchez told them Andrus was “really cool and talked to him the entire drive” before the shooting. After shooting Andrus, the teen stayed with him, watching his body, the Journal reported. Sanchez said as he watched Andrus die, he “felt bad for (Andrus) a little bit, but just getting that satisfaction out of the way.”
“It’s like a relief. Like taking an in and out breath,” he said.
Sanchez has been charged with murder, armed robbery, and tampering with evidence, per the Journal. A motion has been entered to keep him in jail as he awaits trial, KOB reported.
Andrew Hasbun, head of safety communications for Uber, released a statement about the death of Andrus to KOB.
“We are shocked and heartbroken for Joseph’s family and loved ones after this senseless attack. We’ve been in contact with the police and are grateful for their work to bring those responsible to justice,” the statement read.
