Crime
15-Year-Old Christian Simmons Charged With Murder in Fatal Carjacking of Uber Driver Cesar Tejeda
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Authorities are investigating a deadly carjacking that claimed the life of a husband and father of two who was working as an Uber driver in the early morning hours Thursday, an act police have described as “senseless.”
The victim was identified as Cesar Tejeda, a resident of Grayson, Georgia. According to the Lawrenceville Police Department, Tejeda was driving a black SUV for Uber when he accepted a ride request shortly after 4:13 a.m. on Groveland Parkway.
Investigators said surveillance video shows that after the ride concluded, the passenger exited the vehicle, walked around to the driver’s side door, and shot Tejeda.
Police said the suspect then pulled Tejeda from the SUV and fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.
Approximately 10 minutes later, detectives reported that the suspect returned briefly to the area before driving the stolen SUV to a residential neighborhood in Lilburn.
Using a combination of FLOCK license plate reader data and Ring doorbell camera footage, investigators were able to track the vehicle’s movements.
Police then contacted the registered owner’s family, who confirmed the SUV belonged to Tejeda and that he was out working for Uber at the time of the incident.
With assistance from Uber, detectives were able to identify a suspect. Surveillance was established at a residence in the Lilburn neighborhood where investigators believed the suspect was staying.
When the individual later exited the home and began walking, officers moved in and took the suspect into custody without incident.
The arrest involved officers from the Gwinnett County Police Department and the Lawrenceville Police Department.
Police identified the suspect as Christian Simmons, 15, of Lilburn.
Investigators said Simmons had friends in the neighborhood where the Uber ride was requested but had no known prior connection to Tejeda.
Authorities believe the motive for the killing was vehicle theft, stating that the suspect allegedly targeted Tejeda solely to take the SUV.
“This was a senseless act of violence,” police said during a news conference.
Tejeda’s death has left his family mourning the loss of a devoted husband and father, while the case has sparked outrage across the community.
The investigation remains ongoing.
On January 28, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers assigned to the Northern District responded to a reported shooting at the Northrop Grumman facility located in the 7300 block of Aviation Boulevard in Linthicum, Maryland.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the scene had already been secured by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MDTA), who had the suspected shooter in custody.
Preliminary findings indicate the incident stemmed from a dispute between two contracted security guards working inside the facility.
During the altercation, one of the guards discharged a firearm, striking the other.
The victim was identified as 37-year-old Joseph Keith Aman of Baltimore, Maryland. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities stated that a third contracted security guard intervened during the incident, successfully disarming the suspect and detaining him until law enforcement arrived.
Investigators confirmed the shooting was an isolated incident and did not involve any Northrop Grumman employees.
There was no ongoing threat to the public or the facility following the incident.
Anne Arundel County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation.
Detectives conducted multiple witness interviews, while Evidence Collection Unit technicians processed the scene and recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Dylan Blake Chandler of Pasadena, Maryland.
He has been formally charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and additional related offenses.
Northrop Grumman issued a statement acknowledging the incident, saying:
“We are aware of an isolated incident involving two contractors at one of our Baltimore-area facilities. We are cooperating fully with local law enforcement as they investigate the matter. The safety of our employees and contractors across all facilities remains our top priority.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Although an arrest has been made, detectives are continuing to gather information.
Anyone with knowledge related to the incident is urged to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may contact the county’s tip line at 410-222-4700.
Further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.