Passenger Drove Blood-Splattered Car To Family Function After Murdering Lyft Driver

A Lyft passenger has been accused of murdering a driver of the carpool service before proceeding to then drive the still-bloodstained vehicle to travel to a family function in Indianapolis on Thursday, June 30.

Devin Powell, 24, has been charged with murder and robbery after he allegedly hailed a Lyft ride before shooting and killing 34-year-old driver Anthony Garland in Indianapolis. After shooting the victim dead, Powell then drove the blood-stained car 142 miles to Merrillville to attend a family function. After being taken into custody and questioned, Powell claimed that he shot Garland in self-defense as the victim was "trying to screw him over and take his money," the Daily Beast reported.

Garland was reportedly found lying face down in the grass in the 3000 block of Waterfront Parkway West Drive with several gunshot wounds throughout his body. He also had a visible head injury, blood near his face, and blood stains on his shirt and legs.

Investigators reportedly identified the victim based on a missing person complaint that Garland's wife had lodged that same day. She told the officers that her husband had gone missing and that the last time she’d spoken to him was while he was driving for Lyft around midnight. She also gave the officers a description of the car, the white 2013 GMC Acadia, that Garland was driving at the time of his disappearance.

After reviewing Lyft's records, investigators found that the last account that booked a ride from Garland belonged to Devin Powell. Following the discovery, the officers used GPS tracking and located Garland’s car in Merrillville, about two hours north of Indianapolis.

When the investigating officers located and stopped the vehicle, Powell was still driving the car with another man in the passenger seat. There were also visible blood stains around the center console. When questioned, the passenger from the vehicle told police that Powell is his cousin and that the car belonged to the suspect. He added that Powell had just driven up to Merrillville that day from Indianapolis to attend a family function, the Indianapolis Star reported.

When officers questioned Powell, he initially told the officers that he found the vehicle running with the doors open as he was walking to the gas station. Powell added that he got in the car and drove it away when no one came around.

Subsequently, Powell finally admitted and told police that he used his Lyft account to call a ride and then shot Garland. However, Powell stated the shooting was in self-defense as Garland was trying to screw him over and take his money.

Powell then admitted to pulling Garland out of the vehicle and changing clothes before going to buy new covers for the front two seats to cover up the blood stains.

Following this, Powell was taken into custody and was preliminarily charged with murder and robbery.

Meanwhile, anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact Detective Christopher Edwards at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or e-mail him at Christopher.Edwards@indy.gov.