Taxi Driver Shot, Killed In Apparent Robbery In Somerset: Prosecutor

FRANKLIN, NJ — A taxi driver going to pick up a fare in Somerset was fatally shot in an apparent robbery on Thursday night, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather.

On Thursday, May 11 at around 9:56 p.m., Franklin Township Police responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting in the area of Rose Street and Sydney Place in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.

Officers found an adult male taxi driver suffering from a gunshot wound. The taxi had come to rest after crashing into a parked vehicle that was in a driveway of a residence on Sydney Place, said McDonald.

The driver was identified as Kofi Addo, 57, North Brunswick. He was taken to an area Trauma Center where he was pronounced dead, said McDonald.

Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Warren Township Police K-9 Unit went to the scene to conduct the investigation.

The preliminary investigation found that Addo, while driving a local taxi, went to the area of Rose Street to pick up a fare. When he arrived, Addo was confronted by the suspect(s) while inside the taxi and was shot. The unknown suspects ran away, said McDonald.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help, and asking area residents to contact authorities if they see anyone in the area acting in a suspicious manner.

A preliminary motive indicates robbery. The investigation remains ongoing, said McDonald.

The New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner will perform a post-mortem examination to determine the cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information relating to the homicide is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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