Jesus Rafael Diaz, known as “Rafa Wayne” was killed by a robber in Juarez recently with the livestream video viral
In the border city of Juarez, where vibrant communities coexist with the challenges of crime, recent events have thrust ride-share safety into the spotlight. The tragic murder of Jesus Rafael Diaz, known as “Rafa Wayne” has sparked outrage among ride-share drivers who are now demanding better police protection.
Video of TikTok star and Uber driver Rafa Wayne aka Jesus Rafael Diaz being shot dead during livestream goes viral on Twitter
Momento exacto en el que fue asesinado el tiktoker y conductor de uber Rafa Wayne, mientras realizaba una transmisión en vivo#GuardiaNocturna pic.twitter.com/G92J107Y5q
— Guardia Nocturna (@GNocturnaMX) December 13, 2023
🚨🚨🚨Cd Juárez -Chihuahua-
El audio del caso de Rafa Wayne pic.twitter.com/ab4G032nzl
— Eco_1_LVM (@Eco1_LVM) December 13, 2023
Jesus Rafael Diaz fell victim to a robber posing as a customer. The chilling incident unfolded as he livestreamed the robbery. The assailant demanded the password. Diaz’s life was cut short, leaving his family, friends, and the community in shock.
Diaz was not the first victim among Juarez’s ride-share drivers. Less than a month ago, Ismael Villagomez Tapia, a full-time news photographer and part-time driver, was fatally shot after dropping off a fare. These incidents highlight a growing concern for the safety of those providing essential ride-share services in the city.
Ride-share drivers took to the streets, blocking traffic in front of a government building to voice their demands for better police protection. Their plea is grounded in the stark reality that their profession has become increasingly perilous. The drivers argue that the very platforms meant to facilitate their services are inadvertently becoming conduits for criminal activities.
Diaz, a regular presence on social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook Live used his online presence to connect with his community. His murder has prompted an outpouring of grief and anger on his social media pages. Posters expressed their outrage and sadness over the pervasive violence in their city. One poster implored relatives not to shield assailants, urging them to turn wrongdoers over to the authorities.
Diaz’s commitment to his community extended beyond ride-sharing. He, along with other drivers, had plans for a December 20 charity drive to collect and deliver toys for needy children. The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over these altruistic efforts, underscoring the urgency of addressing the safety concerns raised by the drivers.
As the community mourns Diaz’s untimely death, plans for a more massive protest in front of the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office are underway. The drivers, joined by others affected by the escalating violence, are set to make their voices heard.
Chihuahua Deputy Attorney General Carlos Manuel Salas confirmed the identity of the victim and acknowledged the broader issue at hand. He revealed that Diaz is the fourth ride-share driver killed in Juarez in recent months. Salas shed light on the modus operandi of criminals, emphasizing that ride-share platforms unwittingly become tools for criminal activities.