A 57-year
old Nigerian cab driver Solomon James Okoroh was shot dead around 3 a.m Tuesday
in the 2400 block of Ontario Road, Adams Morgan, by two men who tried to rob
him while riding in his cab, according to District of Colombia police.
old Nigerian cab driver Solomon James Okoroh was shot dead around 3 a.m Tuesday
in the 2400 block of Ontario Road, Adams Morgan, by two men who tried to rob
him while riding in his cab, according to District of Colombia police.
The murder of Okoroh unfolded right in front of police, who took
off after the suspects and chased them down under heavy gunfire.
off after the suspects and chased them down under heavy gunfire.
Police say Solomon Okoroh was murdered around 3:15 a.m. Tuesday
after picking up two men in his cab. Officers working a robbery detail in the
neighborhood saw the cab in distress and then heard the gunshot before it
crashed into a sign and parking meter near Ontario and Kalorama Roads.
after picking up two men in his cab. Officers working a robbery detail in the
neighborhood saw the cab in distress and then heard the gunshot before it
crashed into a sign and parking meter near Ontario and Kalorama Roads.
The two suspects bailed out and got into a running gun battle
with officers. Police caught one of them in the street, but the other tried to
hide in a nearby apartment.
with officers. Police caught one of them in the street, but the other tried to
hide in a nearby apartment.
“There were 20 shots fired at them, 20 shots,” said Jim Graham,
(D-Ward 1) the D.C. councilmember who represents this part of the city.
(D-Ward 1) the D.C. councilmember who represents this part of the city.
“The tragedy is horrible, but the remarkable thing is the police
were right here.”
were right here.”
Police caught and arrested both suspects. One of them, 32-year
old Ercell Overton, is charged with first-degree murder, felony assault on a
police officer and burglary. The other suspect, 24-year old Joshua King, is
being held on an unrelated probation violation.
old Ercell Overton, is charged with first-degree murder, felony assault on a
police officer and burglary. The other suspect, 24-year old Joshua King, is
being held on an unrelated probation violation.
“What happened was there was an apparent robbery of a cab driver
that led to the murder of that cab driver,” Graham said explaining the apparent
motive.
that led to the murder of that cab driver,” Graham said explaining the apparent
motive.
Okoroh had driven for Classic Cab Company for about 15 years.
The company says he had a wife and five children. He was more than a cabbie to
them, he was a friend.
The company says he had a wife and five children. He was more than a cabbie to
them, he was a friend.
“I tell you, all cab drivers are scared for this to happen, because
say for $10 or $15 fee, it is not justified to die,” said Chamroeum Muy at
Classic Cab.
say for $10 or $15 fee, it is not justified to die,” said Chamroeum Muy at
Classic Cab.
Those who knew Okoroh said he had been warned about the dangers,
but wasn’t one to discriminate.
but wasn’t one to discriminate.
“This is very terrible because he is one of the few guys that will
not pass anybody. He stops for everyone, he stops for anyone,” said Evelyn
Ruiz.
not pass anybody. He stops for everyone, he stops for anyone,” said Evelyn
Ruiz.
She last saw him Saturday when he came by Classic Cab to pick up
his insurance card as he did every week.
his insurance card as he did every week.
Okoroh lived in Glenarden, Md. He leaves behind a wife and five
children. His son, Prince, plays basketball at Howard University.
children. His son, Prince, plays basketball at Howard University.
A friend read a statement from the family saying in part, “We
are saddened such a senseless act took the precious life of Mr. Solomon Okoroh,
a very spiritual man, a deacon that loves his church but more than that a
family man that loves his family.”
are saddened such a senseless act took the precious life of Mr. Solomon Okoroh,
a very spiritual man, a deacon that loves his church but more than that a
family man that loves his family.”
Police say the 57-year-old cabbie was shot in the shoulder and
later died.
later died.
Despite the heavy gunfire, neither the suspects nor police was
hit.
hit.
Source: PMNews
