A Cleveland-area man is heading to prison after admitting to the fatal shooting of a 56-year-old Lyft driver who was simply trying to earn money when he was killed during an attempted robbery.
Derrek Dove, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, was sentenced Monday, October 26, to 21 to 22.5 years in prison for the February killing of Antoine Latham. Dove previously pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the deadly incident.
According to authorities, Latham was working as a Lyft driver on February 8, 2026, when he picked up Dove and at least two other individuals for a ride in Cleveland. Investigators said the group intended to rob the driver of his cellphone.
During the ride, Latham was shot in the head near East 103rd Street and Rosehill Avenue. After the shooting, his vehicle crashed into a guardrail near a residential area.
First responders initially believed they were responding to a vehicle crash. However, when they arrived, they discovered Latham had suffered a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Authorities said Dove and the other individuals fled the scene after the shooting.
Investigators later used Lyft records, phone records and surveillance footage to connect Dove to the crime. He was arrested in February and initially faced multiple charges, including aggravated murder.
In September, Dove pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of aggravated robbery, setting the stage for Monday’s sentencing.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out in Court
Latham’s loved ones appeared in court for the sentencing hearing, where his children delivered emotional statements about the devastating loss of their father.
One of his children directly questioned Dove over the decision to allegedly take a life during a robbery over a cellphone.
“You sat there and risked everything, for what, a phone? Who robs a Lyft driver?” the family member said, according to Cleveland 19 News.
Latham’s daughter, Kashawna Hill, also addressed Dove, describing the moments and memories her father would never get to experience again.
She spoke about the birthdays, family dinners, hugs and conversations that were taken away when her father was killed.
Hill wore the same suit she had worn to her father’s funeral, explaining that returning to court brought back painful memories.
She described the past eight months as a nightmare filled with grief following her father’s death.
Latham’s son also confronted Dove, questioning how he could harm someone who was providing a service and helping him get where he needed to go.
The family’s statements highlighted the lasting impact of the killing and the pain of losing a loved one over a crime involving a cellphone.
Dove Apologizes Before Receiving His Sentence
Dove’s family was also present in court. His mother asked the judge to consider her son’s age, character and potential to change when determining his punishment.
She told the court she was not asking for the crime to be excused, but wanted the judge to consider whether her son could learn from what happened.
Before the sentence was handed down, Dove addressed Latham’s family and apologized.
“I’m truly, truly, truly sorry, my intentions weren’t to hurt nobody,” Dove said, according to Cleveland 19 News.
Judge Steven Gall responded by challenging Dove’s explanation of the events, telling him to be honest about what happened and the circumstances surrounding the killing.
Prosecutors also addressed the court, emphasizing that Latham had been working that night and that his death never should have happened.
Ultimately, Dove received a prison sentence of 21 to 22.5 years, with the possibility of parole.
Latham Was Working to Earn Extra Money
Following the killing, Latham’s family described him as a hardworking man who cared about others.
His father previously explained that Latham had been driving for Lyft for approximately four months to bring in additional income while continuing his primary job transporting children with disabilities.
His family remembered him as someone who enjoyed helping people and was well loved by those around him.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers rideshare drivers can face while transporting passengers and trying to make a living.
For Latham’s family, however, the sentencing marked another painful chapter in the aftermath of a loss they say has changed their lives forever.
Although Dove will spend years behind bars, Latham’s children made clear in court that no prison sentence can restore the time they lost with their father.
Source: Cleveland 19 News.
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