Two teenage girls, ages 13 and 15, are facing felony murder charges after police in Washington, D.C. say their attempt to carjack 66-year-old food delivery driver Mohammad Anwar killed him.
According to multiple reports, Anwar was delivering food as an UberEats driver near Nationals Park when the teenagers tried to steal his vehicle on Tuesday afternoon (March 23).
Detective Chad Leo of the Metropolitan Police Department said in court on Wednesday (March 24) the girls got into Anwar’s car armed with a taser. According to The Washington Post, a struggle took place between Anwar and the girls, the car accelerated and crashed into parked vehicles along the street, ejecting Anwar from the vehicle.
The teens tried to run from the scene of the crash but were caught by police and a nearby National Guard member. Anwar died at a hospital.
Authorities did not identify the teens because they were charged as juveniles. The two are also facing charges of armed carjacking.
Anwar’s family said they are “devastated by this senseless crime,” in a statement. “Mohammad Anwar was a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother and uncle beloved by many,” the statement reads. “The loss for his family is immeasurable.”
Anwar immigrated to the US from Pakistan in 2014 and is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
The Post reported that this fatal incident is a part of a rise in carjackings since the start of the pandemic. Reports of carjackings have tripled since last year and food delivery drivers have been targeted, authorities said, prompting authorities to establish a task force just to get a handle on the number of reported incidents.
Uber confirmed that Anwar was making a delivery at the time of the fatal carjacking. “We are devastated by this tragic news and our hearts go out to Mohammed’s family during this difficult time,” the company said in a statement.
The Post reported that Magistrate Judge Tyrona DeWitt barred information regarding the teens’ detainment from being released. A GoFundMe campaign started on behalf of Anwar's family has raised more than $750,000 to assist with burial and the loss of income his family now faces.
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