Taxi Drivers Afraid After Taxi Driver's Homicide In SW OKC

Oklahoma City police have identified a taxi driver who was found dead inside his vehicle.

About 7:30 a.m. Saturday, 33-year-old Adam Abaker was found slumped over the wheel of his taxi cab near SW 26 Street and Robinson, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The murder is reinforcing a belief in the taxicab community that the job is very dangerous.

"It’s pretty sad because it can happen to any driver here," said Abdel Aziz Amara, a fellow taxi driver.

Amara and other taxi drivers gathered Monday in the taxi lot at Will Rogers World Airport.

"We miss him here," Amara said.

Abaker was well-known among drivers who say his murder has left them scared to work.

"I get scared because it may happen to me," said Mustapha Wahmane, a taxi driver.

Oklahoma City police began investigating the homicide when a woman noticed the driver and the Green Taxi Cab parked near Capitol Hill Elementary early Saturday morning.

When officers arrived, they say the passenger door of the taxi was open and Abaker was covered in blood.

There have not been any witnesses who have come forward and investigators have not released a motive for the killing.

"What led up to this man's death is still unclear. That's something that our investigators will try to figure out," said police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow.

Meanwhile, the taxi drivers have their own theories about what happened -- robbery.

"They (are) thinking about the taxi cab driver is an easy target and he has cash but most of us don’t carry that much cash," Amara said.

The drivers say the law prohibits taxi drivers from having a weapon in their taxicab for protection because cabs are considered public transportation.

They say that leaves them vulnerable to those with criminal intent like the person who killed their friend Abaker

"I hope the police they find who did it and they get justice," Amara said.

Police have not identified any suspects in the case but urge anyone with information to call the homicide tip line at (405) 297-1200.