Florida Man Charged in Lyft Driver’s Shooting Death

A Florida man previously accused of murder now faces formal charges in the shooting death of a Palm Beach Lyft driver earlier this year.

Mathew Scott Flores, 36, who stands accused of killing 43-year-old Jose Carlos Martinez on January 24 in Hardee County, has been indicted by an Okeechobee grand jury in connection with the death of 74-year-old Lyft driver Gary Levin, as announced by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Flores now faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In a twist, Flores was found driving Levin’s red 2022 Kia Stinger in North Carolina on February 2 while authorities were investigating him in connection with Martinez’s death, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

Florida authorities stated that Flores was linked to a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Orange County, and it was this stolen vehicle that an acquaintance ordered a Lyft ride for him, ultimately picked up by Levin. Tragically, Flores is accused of shooting and killing Levin inside the car.

Levin was reported missing from South Florida when he became “unreachable” on January 30. Tragically, his lifeless body was discovered in a wooded lot in Okeechobee County by FDLE agents on February 4.

During a news conference on Wednesday, FDLE’s Eli Lawson commented on the case, saying, “Mr. Levin’s body had been cruelly dumped in a wooded area. His murder was cold. It was senseless and completely unnecessary. Mr. Levin was a beloved member of the community here in Palm Beach. He was a father and a friend. His loved ones have experienced insurmountable grief. No one should ever have to go through that.”

Levin’s car was reportedly spotted in Miami, Okeechobee, and Gainesville after his disappearance. The vehicle was eventually located in North Carolina on February 2 after U.S. Marshals notified local authorities.

Flores, behind the wheel of Levin’s car, allegedly led police on a high-speed chase through three counties before being forced off the road, resulting in a crash. He was subsequently arrested in Rutherford County, North Carolina, and faced multiple charges. However, prosecutors dropped those charges to allow Florida authorities to pursue the murder allegations against him, as reported by Law & Crime.

Flores was extradited to Florida last month to face charges related to Martinez’s murder, which include first-degree murder, grand theft auto, possession of a firearm by a felon, and tampering with evidence, according to court records.