Uber Driver Homicide: Family Raises Funds For Lawyer

DENVER, CO -- As Uber driver Michael Andre Hancock awaits being charged by the Denver District Attorney's office for first-degree murder in an alleged shooting of a passenger, relatives and friends are insisting that he acted in self-defense and have raised more than $8,000 for his legal fees.

Hancock was arrested Friday after allegedly firing at least 10 rounds from a Ruger handgun. Passenger Hyun Kim, 45, of Englewood was found in Hancock's Nissan sedan with multiple gunshot wounds.

Related: Denver Uber Shooting: Listen To Police Dispatchers Here

A GoFundMe campaign to raise money for legal fees says Hancock was, "was defending himself while driving for Uber."

"Michael is a father, husband, student, and believer who is currently in custody for self defense with your contributions we can afford an attorney who will fight for his justice," posted Kilisha Beasley of Aurora. "His family are waiting for him to come home!"

Hancock is currently being held in the Denver jail on no bail.

Hancock told a man who stopped to help that "his ride tried to attack him and [Hancock] shot him," according to an arrest affidavit. Hancock was questioned by police and declined to make a statement without the presence of an attorney.

Uber released a statement Friday that the company would work with police investigators.

"We are all deeply troubled by the events in Denver today," said an Uber spokesman in a statement to Patch. "Our thoughts are with the families of those involved. The driver's access to the app has been removed, and we will continue working closely with police."

Related: Uber Shooting: Denver Police ID Passenger Who Died, Arrest Driver

Image via GoFundMe

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