Man Charged In Robbery, Fatal Shooting Of Cab Driver In Rahway

RAHWAY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Rahway, New Jersey man has been charged in the fatal shooting of a taxi driver in a robbery last month.

Nathaniel Young, 20, was charged Friday with murder, robbery and weapons charges, according to the Union County Prosecutor's office.

The driver, identified as 57-year-old Imad Alasmar of Edison, was found slumped over in his cab after hitting a parked car just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, on Bedford Street, authorities said.

His manager, Jim May, said it appeared the gunman called Station Cab, requesting a taxi on Bedford Street.

"The passenger requested service to Washington Street in Rahway, which is a short $7 ride," he said.

May said the passenger may have been trying to rob Alasmar. He said there was a struggle that ended with Alasmar shot in the head, the gunshot causing him to lose control of his cab, crashing into a parked car.

"He started his shift at 7, he would have had $60, $80 cash, probably less than $100 in his possession at that time," May said.

A man and woman inside the parked car were also hurt, authorities said.

Alasmar's family said the Jordanian immigrant had been a cab driver for decades. His family said he knew the danger, having been attacked before, but did it to provide for his kids.

Young's bail was set at $1 million and he was at the Essex County corrections center.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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