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🤕 “My wife, my kids…they do not want me to drive now”
Afzal Butt, a 61 year old NYC TLC driver, was publicly assaulted by group in front of his yellow cab, 11 days ago. Reports on origin of violent confrontation are confusing & begin with scooter drivers
61 year old NYC TLC driver Afzal Butt’s public assault by a group of five individuals, in front of his yellow cab, on July 19th was recorded
Howard Colley, 35 and Natalie Morgan, 51, were arrested on scene and charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal mischief, respectively
Both were only given “desk appearance” tickets, given they did not have previous criminal records
Three other individuals involved in the assault are still at large, NYPD is seeking help locating them
Origin of violent confrontation began when scooter drivers threw garbage into Mr. Butt’s taxi, which subsequently led to violent confrontation
Working with our friends at NYC Taxi News, we were one of the first media outlets to report on a vicious “caught on camera” assault of a TLC driver 11 days ago.
Now, more details are coming out about the incident and it’s making national and local headlines, even getting coverage from global tabloid Daily Mail.
What Happened?
According to the New York Post, NYC TLC driver Afzal Butt was assaulted by five individuals (2 men, 3 women) outside of his yellow cab on 34th Street & 6th Avenue on July 19th around 8:10pm.
The Daily Mail reports the background leading up to violent assault, as follows:
“The cab driver…said the attack began when he got into an argument with the group. [PIX 11 video at the bottom of article shows exact moment physical altercation began]
He was pulling over to clean up food that a different group of scooter drivers threw into his car. But he was accused of nearly hitting the five suspects with his car, Butt said.
'They were walking by and saying that I was going to run over them,' he insisted.
'I was just trying to clean my car. Then this lady and this boy started breaking my side window. She broke it. They started assaulting me.'
Butt added that three other people joined in and said: 'They were all hitting me and kicking me, everywhere on my body, my face.’”
- Daily Mail
According to the NYPD, two of the five suspects — 35 year old Howard Colley and 51 year old Natalie Morgan (Brooklyn residents) — were arrested at the scene. Colley was charged with assault for *allegedly* punching the side of the cabbie’s face, while Morgan was charged with criminal mischief for *allegedly* damaging the right side mirror of the cab. Butt was taken to NYU hospital in stable condition.
Desk Appearance
What’s causing a lot of (additional) controversy is the currently charged individuals, 35 year old Colley and 51 year old Morgan, were only issued “desk appearance” tickets because they had no previous criminal record.
“'If you’re angry, be angry at the criminal justice reforms — no criminal history and a misdemeanor, you have to issue [desk appearance tickets]”
- Anonymous police source commentary to Daily Mail
The three other people involved in the incident are still at large and the NYPD are interested in tips leading to their whereabouts. In our opinion, it’s also probably worth tracking down the scooter drivers and understanding more about what happened with that incident as well!
“Our city’s hardworking drivers brave the streets every day to get us where we need to go, and violence against them is totally unacceptable and illegal…Our Driver Support Unit is in contact with the driver and offering him assistance.”
- TLC spokesperson Jason Kersten
Butt’s son and family do not want the veteran TLC driver returning to the streets after the violent incident. Even Butt himself is understandably hesitant, but says he doesn’t really have another option. This attack comes on the back of another violent assault on a TLC driver, which only happened a few weeks ago.
"I have no option. I am a 61-year-old now. Nobody will give me a job."
- NYC TLC driver Afzal Butt
AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️
hi - I am working with LaunchGood to start a donation fund for the uncle. Is it possible if you can direct me towards any contact information of how I can get in touch with him? My email is fjkiani1@gmail.com
Just one day, just one day for anyone to drive and see what it takes to get through a day in the life of a taxi driver!