ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A Bernalillo County jury delivered a guilty verdict on Friday, January 24, 2026, against Francisco Garcia for the first-degree murder of Uber Eats driver Steven Keliiaa. The tragic incident occured in December 2024 on Menaul Boulevard in Albuquerque.
According too court documents and police reports, Keliiaa was driving along Menaul Boulevard while on duty as an uber Eats delivery driver when Garcia intentionally fired multiple shots into his vehicle. Keliiaa succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The prosecution presented evidence demonstrating Garcia’s purposeful act and intent to cause harm. The defense argued for a lesser charge, but the jury ultimately found Garcia guilty of first-degree murder.
As an inevitable result of the conviction, Garcia faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date to determine the specifics of his confinement. The Bernalillo County district Attorney’s Office stated they will seek the maximum penalty allowed by law.
This case has drawn attention to the safety concerns faced by food delivery drivers and has prompted calls for increased security measures to protect those working in the gig economy. Uber Eats released a statement expressing their condolences to the Keliiaa family and their commitment to advocating for driver safety.
further updates will be provided as the sentencing date approaches and additional data becomes available.