Florida man allegedly shoots at Uber driver during argument over politics and religion
April 17, 2026
The conversation between the two men turned heated when the subject of religion and politics came up and Stinson allegedly learned information about his driver.
A late-night Uber ride in Largo, Florida, took a perilous turn when a passenger allegedly opened fire on his driver following a heated argument over politics and religion. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 12, resulted in the arrest of a 41-year-old Largo man, David Stuart Stinson. The Uber driver, who was not physically harmed, told authorities that he feared for his safety during the confrontation. The event has highlighted the potential dangers that rideshare drivers can encounter.
The dispute began after Stinson requested an Uber to take him from his sister's home in Oldsmar to Largo. During the trip, a conversation between Stinson and the driver about politics and religion became contentious. According to the arrest affidavit, the argument escalated significantly after the driver identified himself as an immigrant, at which point Stinson allegedly told him to "go back to his country." In response to the escalating hostility, the driver pulled the vehicle over near Belleair Road and Robin Hood Lane and ended the ride, asking Stinson to exit the car.
As the driver began to pull away, Stinson allegedly fired approximately three rounds from a handgun at the vehicle. The bullets struck the rear of the car and penetrated the interior, causing damage to the vehicle. Despite the gunfire, the driver managed to escape without injury and promptly contacted the authorities. He later told deputies that he genuinely believed he might not make it home that night. The shooting took place around 3:23 a.m.
Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies located and arrested Stinson at approximately 5:20 a.m. When questioned, Stinson reportedly admitted to arguing with the driver but denied possessing or firing a weapon. Investigators proceeded with an arrest based on evidence gathered at the scene and witness statements. The case remains under investigation as officials continue to review the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Stinson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and is facing multiple felony charges, including shooting into an occupied vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm in public, and tampering with physical evidence. The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by gig economy workers and the potential for volatile disagreements to escalate into violence. Uber's policies generally advise drivers to avoid contentious topics such as politics and religion with passengers.
Source: nypost