Current:Home > MarketsA Virginia woman delivering DoorDash was carjacked at gunpoint by an 11-year-old-VaTradeCoin
A Virginia woman delivering DoorDash was carjacked at gunpoint by an 11-year-old
View Date:2025-01-19 03:05:07
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! (215)
Related
- When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
- World War II veteran reflects on life as he turns 100
- Report: Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence could miss rest of season with shoulder injury
- Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
- Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira set to be sentenced, could get up to 17 years in prison
- Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
- Just Eat Takeaway sells Grubhub for $650 million, just 3 years after buying the app for $7.3 billion
- 1 monkey captured, 42 monkeys still on the loose after escaping research facility in SC
Ranking
- Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Utah AD Mark Harlan fined $40,000 for ripping referees and the Big 12 after loss to BYU
- CRYPTIFII Introduce
- 'SNL' stars jokingly declare support for Trump, Dana Carvey plays Elon Musk
- Oregon's Dan Lanning, Indiana's Curt Cignetti pocket big bonuses after Week 11 wins
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- Texas now tops in SEC? Miami in trouble? Five overreactions to college football Week 11
Recommendation
-
Sports are a must-have for many girls who grow up to be leaders
-
Brian Kelly asks question we're all wondering after Alabama whips LSU, but how to answer?
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
-
Digital Finance Research Institute Introduce
-
Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
-
Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
-
Digital Finance Research Institute Introduce
-
LSU leads college football Week 11 Misery Index after College Football Playoff hopes go bust