Uber driver pleads for car to be released as suspect appears in court

The Uber driver who gave a ride to Karrar Al Khammasi just before he allegedly shot Officer Cem Duzel was in court Wednesday. Carrie Ward sat quietly, crying, hoping the judge would rule to release her car from evidence.

The prosecution said they filed a motion to get the car released two weeks ago. But the defense argued they needed more time to see if the car had any evidentiary value.

The judge set the next hearing for September 5 at 11:30.

After the hearing, Ward tearfully told KRDO Newschannel 13 that she needed her car back as soon as possible because it is her only means of making money to support her children.

She said if her gray sedan was released, “I could get my life back. I lost just as much as a prisoner that day.”

She said the car was damaged by hail in the police impound lot, but didn’t believe it had any evidence that would be valuable to the case.

Ward was among the people who called 911 to report hearing gunfire. She canceled her ride with Al Khammasi because he was being “verbally aggressive” just before the shooting began.

Police arrived to Boulder and Union to investigate the shots fired, when Al Khammasi allegedly opened fire on officers.

He is accused of gravely wounding Officer Cem Duzel after shooting him in the neck.

Duzel was just moved out of the Intensive Care Unit.

Al Khammasi faces charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and felony menacing.

He will also be back in court September 12 at 2:30 for a preliminary hearing.