Unknown assailants shot and killed one taxi operator and injured another Tuesday evening, March 28, 2023, at the Texaco gas station at the junction of Waltham Park Road and Molynes Road.
The Police Corporate Communication Unit has confirmed the shooting but noted that details related to the circumstances that led to the shooting are unclear. However, the police said a second taxi operator turned at the hospital suffering from gunshot wounds shortly after a doctor pronounced his colleague dead.
According to reports, 11 taxi operators have been gunned down by thugs so far this year.
Detectives attached to the Half Way Tree Police Station are searching for leads.
Meanwhile, the president of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services, Egeton Newman, expresses deep sadness at the killing of another taxi operator in the line of duty by “cowardly gun-toting thugs. He went on to say the following:
“The continued slaying of our transport operators in this fashion cannot and should not be allowed to continue … a way needs to be found, and if this is not done with some degree of urgency, we are going to see transport operators dying like dogs on our streets as it would be very clear that no one cares,” Newman said.
TODSS president Egeton Newman
Mr. Newman strongly condemned the murder and called the moment a “dark day” for taxi operators. He stated further that the TODSS, its stakeholders, and others are calling on the Ministers of National Security and Transport to dialogue with the sector to solve this madness.
“Our condolences and sympathies to the families of our fallen brothers and colleagues; join us on Wednesday, March 29, at 11 am at the site of our fallen brother for a moment of silence. Our Chaplin Prophet Roydel Rowe and the team will visit the families with prayers and support,” Newman said.
TODSS president Egeton Newman
Newman implored all transport operators to be vigilant, conscious of their surroundings, and take nothing for granted.