An altercation between an Uber driver and passenger ended in gunfire Sunday night, according to Clearwater Police.

The incident happened in the 400 block of Mandalay Avenue late Sunday.

The shooting occurred inside a vehicle that was stopped at about 10 p.m. on Mandalay Avenue to allow an Uber driver to pick up a passenger.



Police said the driver, 74-year-old Steven Rayow, and 60-year-old passenger, Marc Gregory Mermel became involved in a verbal altercation that then grew physical, with Mermel choking Rayow at one point.

Rayow, who has a concealed weapons permit, then pulled a gun from his waist area, police said.

As the struggle continued, the gun went off, striking Mermel in the foot, police said. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa and treated for the gunshot wound.

Uber recently adopted a no-firearms policy, which prohibits riders and drivers from carrying firearms inside Uber cars.