Man Charged In Robbery, Fatal Shooting Of Cab Driver In Rahway
RAHWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Rahway, New Jersey man has been charged in the fatal shooting of a taxi driver in a robbery last month.
Nathaniel Young, 20, was charged Friday with murder, robbery and weapons charges, according to the Union County Prosecutor's office.
The driver, identified as 57-year-old Imad Alasmar of Edison, was found slumped over in his cab after hitting a parked car just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, on Bedford Street, authorities said.
His manager, Jim May, said it appeared the gunman called Station Cab, requesting a taxi on Bedford Street.
"The passenger requested service to Washington Street in Rahway, which is a short $7 ride," he said.
May said the passenger may have been trying to rob Alasmar. He said there was a struggle that ended with Alasmar shot in the head, the gunshot causing him to lose control of his cab, crashing into a parked car.
"He started his shift at 7, he would have had $60, $80 cash, probably less than $100 in his possession at that time," May said.
A man and woman inside the parked car were also hurt, authorities said.
Alasmar's family said the Jordanian immigrant had been a cab driver for decades. His family said he knew the danger, having been attacked before, but did it to provide for his kids.
Young's bail was set at $1 million and he was at the Essex County corrections center.
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