Livery driver shot in face during suspected robbery by passenger in Brooklyn
CANARSIE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A livery driver was grazed with a bullet when a passenger allegedly shot him during a suspected robbery in Brooklyn.
The passenger allegedly tried to rob the driver, 54-year-old Prince Ezenekwe, at around 1:40 a.m. Monday before opening fire on East 101 Street and Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie.
The passenger asked the driver to immediately turn around and go back to the pickup location, claiming he forgot something at home.
Advocates say this is a dead giveaway something is wrong, usually it's because the pickup location was chosen because it's desolate and ideal for a robbery.
The second clue was the passenger had on a ski mask.
"He says, I will have to kill you. I took everything that you have. I saw is the gun pointed straight at my head at point blank. So at that time I'll die," said Ezenekwe.
Ezenekwe said he saw his life flash before his eyes but he wasn't ready to die.
"I had to make a decision just, you know, to hit the gas. I was my my foot was on the gas while my head was still like this because I don't want to give him any sign that I'm disobeying him," Ezenekwe said.
Ezenekwe said it was that split second decision that was the difference between the bandage on his face and not seeing his wife and five kids ever again.
His oldest is 10 years old and his youngest is 2 years old.
The driver heard a gunshot and realized he had been shot in the face. Ezenekwe managed to drive himself to Brookdale University Hospital.
"I don't know whether the bullet went in or not. But I knew I was shot. So and the lady I did that one says, where my what is my location? I said, Well, I'm driving to the hospital. I'm still fleeing. I'm running to the hospital," Ezenekwe said.
Ezenekwe is in stable condition, but taxi-driver advocates say the bullet missed a critical artery by less than an inch.
The passenger took off on foot, and no arrests have been made.
According to the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, Ezenekwe is originally from Nigeria.
"Prince is a miracle driver. This is not just a wake-up call. It's a demand for justice. Our drivers risk their lives every night, and today, Prince nearly paid with his life. The person who shot Prince should be in jail, not roaming free because of failed bail reform. We need action, not excuses," said Fernando Mateo, spokesman for the federation.
The federation said it is also calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to immediately address what they call "reckless bail-reform laws pushed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo."
"The city's for-hire drivers are out there day and night, getting us home safe. Predators who take advantage of their availability to commit crimes against them should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," said David Do, commissioner of the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
Those who assault TLC drivers face up to 25 years in prison.
The federation is also calling for legislation to make wearing face masks illegal.
"Again, no question about it. It's supposed to be illegal for protests, right? Why are they making it illegal for protests? Because they want to identify the troublemakers, right? In this case, it should be illegal for anyone getting into a cab to be wearing a mask. It should definitely be illegal," Mateo said.
The tax-driver federation is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of the individual responsible.
Ezenekwe, who had been living in New York City for 25 years, says he's not sure if he wants to keep driving a cab and is considering leaving the city.
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