Cab driver shot in Mantua section of Philadelphia

Katie Katro Image
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Cab driver shot in Mantua section of Philadelphia
Cab driver shot in Mantua section of Philadelphia. Katie Katro has more on Action News at 5 p.m. on December 28, 2019.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A cab driver is in critical condition after he was shot in the Mantua section of Philadelphia.

"Just heard a bang about 4 o'clock in the morning," said Fred Stokes. "Next thing I saw was police cars."

The shooting happened around 4 a.m. Saturday on the 600 block of 37th Street.

Police say the 53-year-old victim was shot in the stomach while the car was parked.

The cab driver then drove a few blocks before hitting a parking sign at the intersection of 37th and Spring Garden streets.

"It's sad, and it's scary," said Mitchell Chellis, who said he heard the cab driver crash.

The driver was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. His name has not been released.

Action News spoke with a cab driver for the same company as the victim, "215-Get-A-Cab," who said he's been working as a taxi driver for over 20 years in Philadelphia and doesn't drive at night for safety reasons.

"It depends where you work, there are certain areas that are no good, so I don't work at night time," said Habtu Ghebreigziabiher.

The suspect fled the scene and remains at large.

Anyone with any information is asked to call ;police at 215-686-TIPS.