ALBUQUERQUE, NM – An Albuquerque teenager is facing charges of first-degree murder after allegedly admitting to shooting and killing an Uber driver in what he described as a way to release stress.

Sheliky Sanchez, 18, appeared before a judge Saturday following his arrest, days after the fatal shooting of rideshare driver Joseph Andrus. Court documents indicate that Sanchez confessed to orchestrating the attack, telling investigators he asked his girlfriend to order an Uber solely with the intent to shoot someone.

Authorities say the incident began shortly after midnight on August 7, when Sanchez told his girlfriend he needed a ride to pick up a car from a friend. The girlfriend requested an Uber ride on her account, and Sanchez entered the vehicle driven by Andrus.

The girlfriend recounted to detectives that not long after Sanchez departed in the Uber, she received an automated notification from the rideshare app, alerting her that the trip had stopped unexpectedly before reaching its destination. She tried calling Sanchez to check on him, and he assured her that everything was fine. He returned to her home, driving a black Ford Escape that investigators would later confirm belonged to the victim.

The pair then drove to a local fast-food restaurant in the stolen vehicle and later parked at a nearby park, where they removed the car’s license plate, police said.

During subsequent questioning, Sanchez initially claimed the Ford Escape had been purchased on Facebook Marketplace from an individual named “Angel” for nearly $2,000. He told officers that the supposed transaction occurred a day prior to the shooting. When pressed about the Uber ride itself, Sanchez first denied being involved, stating he had been asleep at his grandmother’s house that night.

When authorities informed Sanchez that the Ford Escape was registered to an Uber driver who had been shot and killed early that morning, he reportedly reacted with disbelief. At that point, investigators said, Sanchez agreed to reveal details about what actually happened.

Sanchez allegedly told officers he was overwhelmed by stress and sought to “let off steam,” but did not want to hurt anyone close to him. He said he decided to target a random person, which led to the decision to have his girlfriend order an Uber. He reported preparing his firearm before the ride, so he would be ready if he felt threatened by the driver.

According to the complaint, Sanchez described Andrus as a pleasant individual, noting that they had a friendly conversation during the trip. When the vehicle arrived at the specified drop-off location, Sanchez claimed he instructed Andrus to exit the vehicle. Growing impatient with the driver’s slow response, Sanchez said he fired multiple shots at Andrus as he got out.

Detectives said Sanchez admitted to shooting Andrus at least five times and then, as the victim lay on the ground, returned to fire again before taking the car and leaving the scene. Police found Andrus deceased at the scene when they responded.

Sanchez allegedly told officers he felt some remorse for the victim but also described a fleeting sense of “relief” after the act. When asked by investigators whether the motive was car theft or violence, Sanchez replied that the goal was to shoot someone, not to steal the vehicle. He lamented the choice of victim, saying he would have preferred someone who looked physically imposing.

Sanchez has been charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and evidence tampering. He is being held without bond at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. The investigation remains ongoing.