Police: Taxi driver Kutin Gyimah killed on the job in possible botched robbery in Queens
NEW YORK -- A New York City taxi driver was killed while on the job Saturday, and police say the deadly attack may have been a botched robbery.
As CBS2's Alecia Reid reports, we're told within two hours after he left for work, police called his family with the tragic news.
Fifty-two-year-old Kutin Gyimah, described as a peaceful man, took his last ride at work Saturday morning.
Police say he brought five passengers, three males and two females, to their Far Rockaway destination around 6:30 a.m. It was there, at Beach 54th Street and Arverne Boulevard, where the suspects allegedly didn't pay their fare and tried to rob him.
Witnesses say Gyimah tried chasing them when he was hit in the back of the head. He fell to the ground, hit his head and lost consciousness.
He was found lying in the street with a traumatic head injury. Emergency responders rushed him to St. John's Hospital, where he later died.
"Why do you have to attack somebody for no reason? How much really is that money? You took somebody's life. Come on," family friend Joe Tompo said.
Neighbors in the victim's Bronx neighborhood described the Ghanaian native as a hardworking man who did whatever he needed to do in order to provide for his wife and four children, the oldest only 8 years old.
"The way he deals with all his children, he's very patient with them and loving. Loving and caring gentleman. Hardworking, hardworking. Takes care of the family. Yeah, we've really lost a dedicated father and also a very dedicated Christian," said Rev. Dr. Samuel Arhin, of Ghana United Methodist Church.
Friends and family are trying to wrap their minds around the terrible loss, and the Ghanaian community is coming together to provide comfort.
"Right now, in the house, the men's fellowship are there now. The pastor is there. Everybody's there now," family friend Prince Acheampong said.
"She's so young to face this with four children. Too bad," family friend Hannah Mensah said.
Funeral expenses are being covered by Gyimah's employer, the Big Apple Taxi Fleet Management.
Meanwhile, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. They are also holding a rally in Queens at 10 a.m. Sunday and say the family is planning to attend.