A Florida Uber driver’s shocking act of pulling a gun on her passengers has gone viral, and new bodycam footage captures the tense arrest that followed. On May 12, 2025, Jennifer Benitez, a 23-year-old driver, allegedly pointed a firearm at her passengers during a ride near Sheridan Street and North 29th Avenue in Hollywood, sparking widespread concern about ride-sharing safety. The incident, caught on a cellphone video, has now led to legal action and public outcry. Here’s what unfolded and where things stand.
The confrontation took place during a routine Uber trip from Miami to Hollywood, near Sheridan Street and North 29th Avenue. Benitez was driving Kristel Omier, known as Miami rapper Krissy Celess, and her friend when a dispute over directions turned ugly. Omier commented,
“She got them crazy eyes,”
which reportedly set Benitez off. In response, Benitez pulled a gun, ordered the passengers out of her SUV, and aimed the weapon at them as they left. The moment was recorded on a cellphone and exploded across social media, drawing thousands of views and heated reactions.
Police arrested Benitez on May 24, 2025, during a traffic stop in Port St. Lucie, far from the incident’s location. Newly released bodycam footage shows officers informing her of a felony warrant for aggravated assault with a firearm. Benitez, driving the same SUV from the incident, appeared defiant, even telling officers how to do their job while invoking her right to remain silent. Officers noted a smell of marijuana, though no further details were reported.
Benitez soon faced a Broward County judge, who set her bond at $7,500 with strict conditions: no contact with Omier and no possession of firearms or ammunition. As of late May 2025, she remains in custody at Paul Rein Detention Facility in Pompano Beach, unable to post bond. Her legal team plans to use Florida’s “stand your ground” law as a defense, claiming she felt threatened. Omier, however, insists no threats were made, fueling debate over the controversial defense.
Omier, shaken by the ordeal, said she feared for her life and thought of her son during the incident. She’s now suing Uber, with her attorney, Carlos Dominguez, arguing the company failed to protect passengers. Uber quickly banned Benitez from its platform and is investigating, stressing that its firearms policy prohibits drivers from carrying guns. The lawsuit seeks to hold Uber accountable and push for stricter safety measures.
The viral video and bodycam footage have sparked intense online discussions, with many calling for tougher ride-sharing regulations.
