Bangladeshi Taxi Driver Shot While Trying to Defuse Dispute in New York

A Bangladeshi taxi driver was shot and seriously injured early Friday morning after attempting to calm a dispute following a traffic collision in Brooklyn, according to police and community members.

The victim, 53-year-old Ruhul Amin Nasir, was dropping off a passenger near Auburn Place and North Portland Avenue in the Fort Greene neighborhood when another vehicle struck his taxi from behind.

Police said Nasir got out of his cab to assess the damage. A verbal altercation then broke out between the driver of the other vehicle and Nasir’s passenger. As Nasir tried to de-escalate the confrontation, a man from a nearby building allegedly opened fire without warning, striking him on the right side of his face.

Nasir was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he underwent two surgeries. Community leader Shah Alam said Saturday that Nasir remains hospitalized but is now in stable condition.

Police confirmed that his injuries are not considered life-threatening. As of Saturday, however, no arrests had been made, prompting concern and frustration within New York’s Bangladeshi community.

Nasir previously served as secretary of the Expatriate Barishal Welfare Association. Shah Alam, an adviser to the organization, said members have been closely monitoring his condition and expressed disappointment that the suspected gunman remains at large.

The shooting has renewed concerns over the safety of New York City taxi drivers, who continue to face violent attacks while on the job.

Fernando Mateo, spokesperson for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, said Nasir’s shooting was the second incident involving an on-duty cab driver being shot within the past two weeks.

“Taxi drivers are risking their lives every day to earn a living,” Mateo said. “Armed criminals continue to attack drivers and escape without being identified. Stronger measures are urgently needed to protect drivers.”

Mateo also renewed the federation’s call for mandatory surveillance cameras in every taxi, arguing that the measure would help law enforcement quickly identify suspects involved in attacks on drivers.

Just days earlier, another driver, Pakistani taxi driver Danish Sarwar, was shot in Brooklyn and left paralyzed, according to the federation.

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting and are searching for the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline.