ORLANDO, Fla.,None — The victim of Orlando's first murder this year wasn't looking for trouble. He was just a taxi driver working to provide for his newborn baby.
VIDEO REPORT: Cabbie Found Murdered Outside Taxi AT THE SCENE: Images Of Taxi Cab
Nerlan and Mona Joseph were emotional after seeing a picture of their brother for the first time since his murder Wednesday morning during an apparent robbery. Nelvil Joseph, 42, had been a cab driver more than eight years and his sisters said he just recently went back to work for Mears. He worked the overnight shift; Mona said he was picking up a fare early Wednesday morning.
"He probably got out of the vehicle, tried to fight these people off, killed in the process of it," Mona said.
Orlando police have released few details. There was damage to the front of the taxi; Joseph was found outside of his car; and witnesses said they saw bullet casings in the parking lot of the Governor's Manor Apartments off LB McLeod Road (see map) near John Young Parkway.
Neighbors said they heard gunfire at 1:30 in the morning, but Orlando police were not called until 6:30am.
"You don't just kill people and leave them in the street like that. That doesn't make sense," Nerlan said.
Joseph had a wife and baby in Haiti and two kids in Florida. He was supporting his family back home.
Mears has 600 taxis. Cameras were installed in all of them last year because of safety, a concern for every cab driver.
Mears released a statement only to say it will help the family in this tragedy. Since Joseph was an independent contractor, Mears did not offer health or life insurance.
Orlando police have not released the video from the cab or any other details.
WFTV
