How dangerous is the crime in blue areas? So dangerous that a Marine veteran that survived repeated tours to Iraq couldn’t survive driving an Uber in California, one of the softest on crime states in the union, and certainly one of the furthest left states in the country.
That Marine veteran was Aaron Orozco, a 38-year-old father of two. He was shot dead on Friday morning when, police say, he picked up two passengers early that morning. He stopped at a Lynwood 7-Eleven with them for an unknown reason, which turned into a physical altercation with the two passengers. One of the passengers then shot him in the upper torso.
The two suspects fled the scene in Orozco’s vehicle, which police later found a short distance from the altercation and shooting scene. Orozco, shot in the upper torso, was pronounced dead at the scene. He leaves behind a wife, a 9-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter.
His wife, Sandra Medina, spoke to Fox 11 about his passing. She said, “It just seems like I’m in a nightmare. It doesn’t seem real to me. I haven’t even told my kids yet, they still think dad is going to come through the door.” Continuing, she said, “We were married for 10 years, but we’ve been together since high school, high school sweethearts.”
She also told ABC 7 “I just hope that they find them because they created this chaos in my life and my family’s life. And, you know, now I don’t have my husband with me. And, it has just changed my life around so much. So, I really hope that they do catch them.”
Uber issued a statement on Orozco’s murder: “Our hearts are with Mr. Orozco Figueroa’s family as they cope with this unfathomable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our condolences. We banned the rider’s account and are working with police on their investigation.”
Fox News Digital, providing more details on Uber’s response, notes that Orozco never had an issue with passengers before, that his family is eligible for survivor benefits, and that the company’s Public Safety team will assist police in the investigation of the murder. In its words:
Orozco had been working for Uber for four years before the shooting, never having had issues in the past until the morning of March 24.
[…]Uber told Fox News Digital they have extended their condolences to the family and explained Orozco’s family is eligible for survivor benefits, provided through Intact.
The company’s Public Safety team – composed of former law enforcement officers and paralegals – is ready to assist with the investigation, which is still ongoing. Uber said they are working closely with detectives on the case and will continue to cooperate with the investigation.
A GoFundMe was created for Orozco’s family and has already raised over $80,000, far more than the $20,000 goal. It says:
Aaron Orozco, age 38, was murdered at a 7-11 parking lot while working Uber Rideshare in the city of Lynwood on Friday, March 24, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m. He leaves behind his wife, Sandra Orozco, an amazing 9-year-old son and his 3-year-old daughter.
Aaron Orozco was a Combat Veteran who enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton from 2001 – 2005. He proudly served his 4-years with three (3) tours to Iraq.
Please help the family gather the funds to lay him to rest. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Featured image credit: GoFundMe
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