Florida Uber Driver Fatally Shoots Man, is Free Due to “Stand Your Ground” Law

Westlake hasn’t been charged with a crime and will not be prosecuted. Police say this was a clear case of “stand your ground,” as Jason Boek, the victim, had threatened Westlake he had a gun that he planned on using. Westlake’s story that he was scared for his life checks out.

The entire thing was due to a misunderstanding. Boek’s girlfriend Jessica was out drinking with a friend, Today reports. She called for an Uber to get back home and, as she waited, she was arguing with Boek over text. He told her he was coming over to pick her up and threatened to “f**k the Uber driver up” if she got in his car.

When he arrived at the bar, he saw the Uber but didn’t see that the woman who got inside wasn’t Jessica, but her friend. He followed the car, a Hyundai Elantra, in his pick-up truck and brake-checked Westlake to force him to pull over.

The altercation was actually captured on Westlake’s dashcam. Boek got out of his truck yelling “You know I have a pistol? You want me to use it?,” as he approached the Hyundai.

It was too dark for Westlake to see that what Boek was actually holding was a cell phone, so he assumed the worst and took out his own gun and fired. He hoped the shot would only stop the man, not kill him, so he tried CPR right away.

“I wish the whole chain of events didn’t happen,” Westlake says. “When he said pistol gonna shoot and he had it up at me… who just says that? Who only just threatens that.”

Westlake’s Uber account has been suspended until the investigation ends and his name is cleared. However, it might not be reinstated ever again, since he violated the company policy by carrying a loaded weapon.