According to police, Ahmed H. Sharif, 43, was stabbed by Michael Enright, 21, of Brewster, N.Y., after he hailed the cab at Second Avenue and East 24th Street around 6 p.m. Tuesday. They also say after driving 20 blocks, Enright allegedly stabbed and slashed Sharif on his arm, throat and face.
Authorities say after the assault, Sharif pulled his cab over and approached a uniformed officer on Third Avenue close to 42nd street where Enright was arrested at the scene. Before the assault, Enright made small talk asking the driver if he was observing Ramadan, and how long had he been living in the United States. Later, the passenger started cursing and screamed out “Assalamu alaikum — consider this a checkpoint!” and proceeded to gash and stab the driver.
Law enforcement officials have stated that the passenger was extremely intoxicated at the time of his arrest. Sharif was taken to the Bellevue Hospital Center for treatment. In a statement, Sharif said: “I feel very sad,” and that he had been in the United States for “more than 25 years” and had been driving a taxi for “more than 15 years. All my four kids were born here. I never feel this hopeless and insecure before.”
Enright has been charged with attempted murder as a hate crime, assault, aggravated harassment and criminal possession of a weapon. He is currently awaiting arraignment. –torrance stephens, ph.d.
