Stamford Police: Suspect In Custody In Fatal Stabbing Of Cab Driver

STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Stamford police have charged a 29-year-old man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a taxi driver in what appeared to be a robbery.

Shota Mekoshvili is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 47-year-old Mahomed Kamal.

Kamal was stabbed multiple times in his torso area and was found on the front lawn of a Doolittle Road home around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said. Officers found his taxi crashed into some trees down the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Capt. Richard Conklin said police quickly tracked down the suspect and pursued him on foot through the streets of downtown Stamford on Wednesday night, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reported.

"Once he was sighted, everyone started moving into that vicinity, so there was a lot of action last night," Conklin said.

Police believe there was a violent struggle between the suspect and the victim, both inside and outside the cab.

After police tasered the suspect, Conklin said they saw his hands and face covered with knife wounds, Schneidau reported.

"When we arrested him it was evident that he had wounds consistent with a struggle that occurred at the murder scene," Conklin said.

The suspect was treated and released from the hospital. He is expected to be arraigned Friday.

Kamal's family said he left Bangladesh 20 years ago for a better life in the United States.

Mohammad Rashid said his brother called around 3 a.m. and told his wife he was almost done with his shift. When he never returned home, Kamal's wife went to the police.

Rashid said his brother was a devout Muslim with a young son.

"I'm really upset because I lost my brother," Rashid said. "I can say nothing."

Officials believe Kamal was stabbed with a knife, but the weapon hasn't been recovered.

Mekoshvili is being held on $1 million bond.

He is a Georgian Republic National Citizen staying in the U.S. on a visa and immigration officials have been notified, police said.

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