NYC Taxi Driver Survives Shooting by Passenger in Brooklyn Robbery Attempt

The Incident

• 🚕 Prince Ezenekwe, a 54-year-old livery cab driver and father of five, narrowly escaped a terrifying robbery attempt in Brooklyn.
• 📍 The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of East 101st Street and Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie.

The Passenger's Deception

• 💡 The passenger initially requested a ride and then asked the driver to circle back, claiming he forgot something.
• ⚠️ When the driver, Prince, explained he couldn't immediately circle back due to traffic patterns, the passenger became agitated.

The Attack and Escape

• 💥 The passenger then exited the vehicle, brandished a gun, and threatened to rob and kill Prince.
• 🏃‍♂️ In a moment of self-preservation, Prince accelerated the car, and the passenger fired a shot, grazing his right cheek.
• 🙏 Prince described the survival as a miracle, stating he was not supposed to be alive and had only witnessed such events in movies.

Patterns of Taxi Robberies

• 🗣️ Fernando Mato, spokesman for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, highlighted that this tactic of asking to circle back is a common ploy.
• 🗺️ These incidents often occur on desolate streets with minimal surveillance, where perpetrators ensure there are no cameras or police presence.
• 🚨 Drivers are frequently targeted for robbery, shootings, or stabbings in these situations, a recurring issue the federation has addressed numerous times.