Introduction to the Incident
Prince Ezenekwe, a 54-year-old Brooklyn livery cab driver, was shot in the face during an attempted robbery in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident occurred when a passenger he picked up in Canarsie tried to rob him. Fortunately, the shot only grazed Ezenekwe’s face, and the robber fled the scene.
The Incident Unfolds
Ezenekwe had picked up the passenger at Flatlands Avenue and East 101st Street at around 1:25 a.m. on March 24. The man was wearing a ski mask when he got into the cab. Before leaving the block, the passenger demanded that Ezenekwe take him back to the pickup location because he had forgotten something. Ezenekwe refused, instead pulling over and telling him to walk the short distance back. This is when things took a turn for the worse.
The Robbery Attempt
The passenger started yelling and calling Ezenekwe all sorts of names, saying, “Don’t let me kill you here.” Ezenekwe did not take the threat literally, thinking the man was just saying things out of frustration. However, the situation escalated when the passenger opened the car door, stepped out, and refused to leave or close the door. He then said, “I will have to kill you.” Ezenekwe turned to look at the passenger and saw a gun pointing directly at him.
The Shooting
Out of desperation, Ezenekwe hit the accelerator, jerking the car forward just as the suspect fired. The movement of the car caused Ezenekwe’s head to shift, and the bullet grazed his face instead of hitting its target. Ezenekwe described himself as “the luckiest man alive” after the incident.
Ezenekwe felt blood immediately start oozing from his face and dripping over his body. He raced away, believing the gunman was still chasing him. When he felt safe, he called 911 and drove himself to Brookdale University Hospital.
Aftermath and Investigation
At the hospital, Ezenekwe received at least 12 stitches and anesthesia for his wound. The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers spokesperson, Fernando Mateo, said that the masked gunman was using a known robbery tactic to try and steal from the driver at gunpoint. The NYPD is investigating the incident, and the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is issuing a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to the capture of the shooter.
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks that cab drivers face on a daily basis. Ezenekwe’s close call with death has left him questioning whether he will continue to live and work in New York City. The community is coming together to support Ezenekwe and to help bring the perpetrator to justice.
FAQs
- What happened to Prince Ezenekwe? Prince Ezenekwe, a Brooklyn livery cab driver, was shot in the face during an attempted robbery.
- How did the incident occur? The incident occurred when a passenger Ezenekwe picked up in Canarsie tried to rob him, and the situation escalated, leading to the passenger shooting Ezenekwe.
- What is the current status of the investigation? The NYPD is investigating the incident, and the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers is issuing a $5,000 reward for information that could lead to the capture of the shooter.
- How can I report information about the shooting? Anyone with information regarding the shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
