16-Year-Old Girl Charged With Murder In Stabbing Of Uber Driver

By Stephen Gossett in News on May 31, 2017 5:20PM

Getty Images / Photo: David Ramos

Update, 3 p.m.:
The girl attacked the victim with a knife and a machete that she had stolen from Walmart just prior to the killing, prosecutors argued, according to the Tribune. The attack—which the judge called "extremely violent"—was "not provoked in any manner," prosecutors said on Wednesday afternoon, the Trib reports. Wasni was denied bail.

Original:
A 16-year-old girl has been charged with first degree murder in the stabbing of an Uber driver who was killed while dropping off a fare in the northwest suburbs, according to Lincolnwood police.

Eliza Wasni, 16, has been charged in the killing of Wilmette man Grant Nelson, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. First degree murder charges against juveniles are automatically sent to adult court, police said.

Police on Tuesday fielded a call of a man screaming for help at 7201 N. Lincoln Ave. at 3:22 a.m. and discovered the victim had been stabbed multiple times, according to a police press release. Nelson told police he was working as an Uber driver when his passenger stabbed him, authorities said. A woman who matched the description given by Nelson was found hiding behind a nearby building. She had two weapons that authorities believe were used in the fatal attack, according to police.

Nelson was taken to St. Francis Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Wasni is due to appear in bond court in Skokie at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

An Uber spokesperson said that the company is working with police and providing whatever information might be helpful.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our partners, Grant Nelson. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, ” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The killing was the first homicide in Lincolnwood since 2006, police said.