A Terrifying Night in Brooklyn
A Brooklyn taxi ride late at night turned gruesome when a masked rider shot a livery driver in the face at close range. The driver, Prince Ezenekwe, a devoted Nigerian immigrant and father of five, survived by a miracle. Community leaders are now demanding greater protections for taxi drivers as police hunt for the gunman.
A Routine Ride Turns Violent
Early Monday morning, around 1:30 a.m., Ezenekwe, an employee of Bee Bee Car Service, had dropped off a fare at East 101st Street and Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie. The ride was a normal one until the passenger suddenly asked him to make a U-turn, claiming he had forgotten something at the pick-up location.
Ezenekwe, a seasoned driver, offered the passenger the suggestion of walking back. That’s when things got out of hand.
“He began screaming, cursing me out with all kinds of names that I won’t mention,” Ezenekwe said in a press conference. “I didn’t give him no attention until he said, ‘Don’t let me kill you here.'”
Seconds later, the passenger got out of the cab, drew a gun, and shot.
A Narrow Escape from Death
The bullet skimmed off Ezenekwe’s cheek, missing a vital artery by mere inches. Bleeding and in shock, he understood just how close he had come to death.
“I am not supposed to be alive,” he stuttered. “It’s so frightening … I haven’t ever seen this kind of thing so close.”
Following the attack, the shooter ran off on foot. To date, the suspect is still on the loose. Ezenekwe had described him as a slender Black male who is around 5-foot-4 and between mid-20s, dressed in all black.
The Growing Danger for Taxi Drivers
Taxi and livery cab drivers in New York City have traditionally faced hazards on late-night shifts, but violent encounters are on the rise. Immigrant drivers predominate among these workers and sacrifice their own safety for pay in order to earn a living and send it home to family members.
Crimes committed against taxi drivers have increased in recent years, as indicated by NYPD statistics, with numerous drivers robbed, assaulted, and even attempted to be murdered. Advocates say that more effective safety precautions should be enforced to safeguard drivers, including the mandating more durable security cameras in cars, panic buttons, and more police on high-crime areas.
Community Outrage and Demands for Change
The assault has reopened the debate about the safety of taxi and livery cabbies, who often work late at night and in dangerous neighborhoods. The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD) has denounced the assault and is calling for swift action.
“Enough is enough,” said Steven Rivera, president of NYSFTD. “No taxi or livery driver should be hunted down like prey while simply doing their job. This is attempted murder.”
Fernando Mateo, NYSFTD spokesperson, is calling for immediate policy changes, including a ban on passengers wearing masks inside taxis.
“It should be illegal for anyone entering a cab to wear a mask,” Mateo stated. “But more importantly—drivers, don’t pick these people up. We’ll help you fight the TLC, we’ll help you handle the summons—but your life is more important.”
Safety Tips for Drivers
As drivers continue to face increasing risks, experts recommend the following safety measures:
- Install security cameras: A visible security camera can deter violent incidents and provide evidence in case of an attack.
- Accept cashless payments: Minimizing the use of cash can reduce robbery risk.
- Trust your instincts: If a rider is suspicious or at all aggressively behaving, terminate the ride in a public and secure location.
- Remain in touch: Keep family or dispatch informed regularly about your status and location.
- Don’t operate in high-crime areas late at night: Some neighborhood’s have higher crime; drivers need to exercise caution while picking up or dropping off fares in such neighborhood’s.
What Can Be Done?
To help locate the shooter, NYSFTD is providing a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his capture and conviction.
Local community members are being asked to report if they have any information about the suspect. Tips can be made anonymously to local authorities or through NYSFTD’s hotline.
As for Ezenekwe, he is now left dealing with the trauma of the attack but is thankful to be alive.
“This is my work, my means of supporting my family,” he said. “But no one should have to endure this just to earn a living.”
As the investigation unfolds, New York’s taxi and livery drivers are left asking: How many more tragedies will it take before real change occurs?
A Call for Justice
Ezenekew’s own situation is only one of several cases that bring to light the growing risks for taxi and livery drivers in New York City. As miraculous as his survival is, it raises an urgent question: How can the city protect more effectively those who work for its citizens around the clock?
Stronger regulations, improved safety devices, and social support are necessary now more than ever. Until such time, motorists like Ezenekwe will have to live with a risky and unpredictable existence each time they take in a passenger.
