Marine veteran who survived three tours in Iraq, Afghanistan killed driving an Uber in California – Fox News
A California Marine veteran and father of two was fatally shot and killed Friday morning while driving for Uber, according to police.
Aaron Orozco, 38, picked up two passengers early that morning and stopped at a Lynwood 7-Eleven for an unknown reason before he got into a physical altercation with the two passengers, police said.
One suspect shot Orozco in the upper torso, cops said.
The suspects then fled in Orozco's vehicle, and it was later located by local authorities a short distance away. Orozco was pronounced dead at the scene. He leaves behind his wife, Sandra Medina, a 9-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
US MILITARY INVESTIGATING DEATH OF CALIFORNIA MARINE FOUND DEAD IN BARRACKS: REPORT
"It just seems like Im in a nightmare. It doesnt seem real to me," Medinatold Fox 11."I havent even told my kids yet, they still think dad is going to come through the door."
Aaron Orozco, 38, was based out of Camp Pendleton and had previously completed three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. (KTTV)
Orozco had been based out of Camp Pendleton and had previously completed three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Medina told Fox 11 her husband had started working for Uber at night so he could care for their children while she was working as a nurse.
HUMANITARIAN VOLUNTEER, MARINE VET KILLED IN UKRAINE WHILE HELPING CIVILIANS
"We were married for 10 years, but weve been together since high school, high school sweethearts," Medina told FOX 11.
Orozco began working for Uber at night so he could care for his children while his wife was working as a nurse. (KTTV)
Orozco had been working for Uber for four years before the shooting, never having had issues in the past until the morning of March 24.
I LOST MY BROTHER AND MY FIANC IN THE IRAQ WAR. 20 YEARS LATER, HERE'S HOW I HOPE AMERICANS WILL HONOR THEM
"Our hearts are with Mr. Orozco Figueroas family as they cope with this unfathomable tragedy, and we have reached out to offer our condolences," Uber said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We banned the riders account and are working with police on their investigation."
Orozco leaves behind his wife, Sandra Medina, a 9-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. (KTTV)
Uber told Fox News Digital they have extended their condolences to the family and explained Orozco's family is eligible for survivor benefits, provided through Intact.
The company's Public Safety team composed of former law enforcement officers and paralegals is ready to assist with the investigation, which is still ongoing. Uber said they are working closely with detectives on the case and will continue to cooperate with the investigation.
A GoFundMe page set up in honor of Orozco and his family had already surpassed its $20,000 goal as of Sunday morning, with more than $36,000 donated. (KTTV)
A GoFundMe page set up in honor of Orozco and his family had already surpassed its $20,000 goal as of Sunday morning, with more than $36,000 donated.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"I just hope that they find them because they created this chaos in my life and my family's life," Medina told ABC 7. "And, you know, now I don't have my husband with me. And, it has just changed my life around so much. So, I really hope that they do catch them."
Read this article:
Marine veteran who survived three tours in Iraq, Afghanistan killed driving an Uber in California - Fox News
- There Are Similarities, but Venezuela Is Not Iraq - U.S. News & World Report - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- All About Jonathan Ross, Iraq War Veteran Who Shot 37-Year-Old Mother In US - NDTV - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iraq Takes Over Lukoil-Run Oilfield to Avoid Disruption from US Sanctions - UNITED24 Media - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iraq to create a special commission to counter the recruitment of its youth for the war against Ukraine - - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Iraq and Venezuela: One as Tragedy, Another as Farce - CounterPunch.org - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Jonathan Ross: ICE agent who shot Renee Good served in Iraq? Report hints at military past | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- John Hewson Has Trump learnt nothing from George W. Bushs disaster in Iraq? - The Saturday Paper - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- How the Legacy of Iraq Is Shaping the Dem Response to Venezuela - The Bulwark - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Investments in Iraq hit $102 billion in three years - Iraqi News - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Trumps claim that US controls Venezuela is total (expletive): Dem lawmaker, an Iraq vet, says - MassLive - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- I Once Supported Regime Change in Iraq. That's Why Venezuela Worries Me. - Reason Magazine - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iraq unrecognisable and remarkable after years of conflict: UN coordinator - Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iraq to nationalise West Qurna 2 oilfield operations, Chevron and Quantum bid for Lukoil - The Arab Weekly - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- From the Iraq War to the drug war, Toni Smiths protest continues - New York Amsterdam News - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Surprise operations lead key scenarios for Iraq and the region amid US escalation - Shafaq News - - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- How Trump finally buried the Iraq syndrome - The News-Item - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iraq-based Kurdish opposition calls for strike in Iran on Thursday - Space War News - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Dollar surge in Iraq: Why did the parallel market jump to 148,000 IQD? - IraqiNews - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Ken Research Stated Iraq's Workover Drilling Rigs Market to Reach USD 170 million - openPR.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Babylon Bloc condemns land seizures in Bakhteme village and warns of demographic change in northern Iraq - SyriacPress - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- John Fetterman to fellow Democrats on Venezuela: Stop comparing everything to Iraq - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iraq to adopt new measures to increase income and control spending - IraqiNews - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iraq awaits a government without politics and a judge above the state - Middle East Monitor - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Iraq-based Kurdish opposition calls for strike in Iran on Thursday - Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- The removal of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela has some parallels to the removal of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. - facebook.com - January 8th, 2026 [January 8th, 2026]
- Trump says the U.S. will fix Venezuela's oil industry. But remember what happened with Iraq? | Opinion - Houston Chronicle - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- The Shadow of Iraq Looms over Venezuela - The Free Press - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Regime Change in Venezuela: Like Iraq, But With More Confusion - The National Interest - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Muslim radicals call for the execution of a cardinal in Iraq - ZENIT - English - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Formally ending Iraq wars is a victory for the American people - The Hamilton County Reporter - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- For some veterans, the specter of Iraq and Afghanistan looms over the Maduro raid - Task & Purpose - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iraq Likely To Begin Enhancing Its Neglected Air Defense In 2026 - Forbes - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iraq War veteran seeks Purple Heart medal more than 20 years after deployment - Stars and Stripes - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iraq Unveils National Strategy to Attract Ten Million Tourists by 2035, Focusing on Security, Infrastructure and Tourism Development - Travel And Tour... - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- When Did Everything Become Iraq? - The Times of Israel - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Trump Touts One Key 'Difference' Between Iraq and Venezuela in Phone Call with Joe Scarborough: 'Bush Didn't Keep the Oil!' - Yahoo - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Were Going To Keep The Oil: Trump Defends Venezuela Action, Rejects Iraq Comparison - dailyvoice.com - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Ghosts of war Iraq: the cases that never counted - Action on Armed Violence - AOAV - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iraq explores overhaul of largest state-owned lender - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Michael Clarke Q&A: Two reasons behind Trump's intervention in Venezuela - and why there is one similarity to Iraq - Sky News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Iraq plans tenders to relocate heavy industries and facilities from Baghdad - ZAWYA - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Nikki Haleys son says Venezuela needs pro-American government, warns US must not repeat Iraq and Afgha - Times of India - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- This could be Trumps Iraq, and Americans must ask: Is it what we voted for? - The Age - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Iraq Marks Sixth Anniversary of Leaders of Victory as PM Sudani Reaffirms Sovereignty Drive - kurdistan24.net - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- The Revolutionary Guards and the Making of Irans Iraq Policy - Modern Diplomacy - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Mark Savaya: We are working to make 2026 the year that uncontrolled weapons end in Iraq - SyriacPress - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Iraq rises to second-largest crude oil exporter to the U.S. last week - IraqiNews - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Is Venezuela the new Iraq? Comparing operation Absolute Resolve to 2003 - IraqiNews - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- 'Not the Middle East': Marco Rubio says Venezuela won't echo Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan - thenationalnews.com - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Nearly 16,000 prisoners released across Iraq in 2025: Ministry - The New Region - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- President Barzani and Faiq Zidan Discuss the Political Situation in Iraq - kurdistan24.net - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Iraq to revive parliament work with increased sessions - Shafaq News - - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Russia Unites With Belarus And Iraq As US Issues Urgent Travel Advisory Amid Increased Risk To Citizens, Arbitrary Detention, And Growing Security... - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Op-Ed: Formally ending Iraq wars is a victory for the American people - suncommercial.com - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Secretary of War says US intervention in Venezuela "exact opposite" to Iraq invasion - ANI News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Washington aims to end militia presence in Iraq in 2026 - IraqiNews - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- From Afghanistan To Iraq: Ten Regimes That US Toppled And The Mess They Left Behind - News18 - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Senior Member Of Iran-Backed Militia: The Resistance Factions In Iraq Are Developing Military AI Capabilities - MEMRI - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- War in Venezuela: The Iraq War All Over Again? - 19FortyFive - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iran futsal team to play two friendlies with Iraq - Tehran Times - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iraq says US-led coalition to withdraw from Ain al-Asad base next week - Anadolu Ajans - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- New Year's Eve Iraq - The Herald Journal - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iraq to engage with foreign institutions to develop Baghdad Metro - IraqiNews - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- APTOPIX New Year's Eve Iraq - The Herald Journal - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Compliance Is the Foundation: Kawa Junad On Banking Digitally In Iraq - Global Finance Magazine - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- President Barzani Congratulates the People of Kurdistan and Iraq on the Occasion of the New Year - kurdistan24.net - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- US-led coalition to depart Iraq base next week, says Iraqi army - The New Region - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iraq has third-highest number of missing journalists in the world: Watchdog - The New Region - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- US-led forces to withdraw from Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq next week - PressTV - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iraq to up LPG production to four million tons by next year: Ministry - The New Region - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iraq Stock Exchange reports 57 billion IQD in last week of 2025 - IraqiNews - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- Iraq raises alarm over youth drawn into Russia-Ukraine war - middle-east-online.com - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- The Donroe doctrine: Is Venezuela the next Iraq? Trumps oil war escalates - The Times of India - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- Class ring lost for decades returned to Iraq War victims family - fox10tv.com - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- Clock ticks on government formation in Iraq as deep divisions remain - Amwaj.media - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- Iraq exports over 67 million barrels of oil to US in 9 months - IraqiNews - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- Iraq to repatriate 70 nationals from Libya amid efforts to curb illegal migration - The New Region - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- Iran aims to boost exports with stronger ties to Iraq - Latest news from Azerbaijan - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- ECS steps up trade and industrial cooperation with Iraq - - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]
- Ghosts of War Iraq: the death of Mustafa Jabbar Al-Kadhim - Action on Armed Violence - AOAV - December 22nd, 2025 [December 22nd, 2025]