Clark County, Ohio – A jury has convicted an 83-year-old Ohio man of murder in the fatal shooting of an Uber driver he mistakenly believed was trying to rob him as part of a phone scam that deceived both victim and shooter. The case, reported by Associated Press, highlights the deadly consequences of sophisticated scam operations that manipulate multiple victims at once.
Scam Led Both Victim and Shooter to the Same Place
Prosecutors said William J. Brock was targeted by a scammer who convinced him that a relative needed $12,000 in bond money. Believing he was about to be robbed, Brock fatally shot the Uber driver who arrived at his home to pick up what she thought was a routine delivery.
Investigators said the driver, Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, was unknowingly drawn into the same scam. She had been directed by the scammer to travel to Brock’s residence, located between Dayton and Columbus, to collect a package for transport.
Fatal Shooting at Brock’s Home
Authorities said Brock shot Toland-Hall six times when she arrived at his South Charleston home in March 2024. The 61-year-old driver, who lived in Dublin, a Columbus suburb, was unarmed at the time and posed no threat, prosecutors told jurors.
Brock was convicted Wednesday of murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping. He is scheduled to be sentenced later this week. A message seeking comment was left with his attorney following the verdict.
Defense Claimed Self-Defense
During the trial, Brock’s attorney argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense. The defense said the scammer had made threats against Brock and his family, leaving him fearful for his safety when the driver arrived.
Brock testified that he believed his life was in danger and assumed the woman who came to his house was involved in the alleged robbery plot.
Prosecutors Say Driver Was Innocent Victim
Prosecutors rejected the self-defense claim, stressing that Toland-Hall had no knowledge of the scam involving Brock and had simply been following directions given to her as a driver.
Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll said the case underscores the harm caused by scammers who remain at large.
“The really sad part about this is that we know there are still criminals out there,” Driscoll said after the verdict. “We know that the scammers, the folks who started this, haven’t been brought to justice.”
Families Left Grieving as Scammers Remain Free
Authorities said both Brock’s family and Toland-Hall’s family suffered devastating losses because of the scam. Investigators continue to warn that similar fraud schemes often exploit fear and urgency, sometimes pulling unsuspecting third parties into dangerous situations.
Brock now awaits sentencing as the case draws renewed attention to the risks posed by phone scams and the unintended, often tragic, consequences they can create.
