Nasrat Yar death: Teen, 15, arrested in fatal shooting of Lyft driver and former US Army interpreter
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
WASHINGTON, DC: A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Nasrat Ahmad Yar, a 31-year-old Lyft driver and former US Army interpreter.
Ahmad Yar was shot and killed in the early morning hours of July 3, 2023 while working to support his family.
Timeline of tragic shooting
Assistant Chief Leslie Parsons of the Metropolitan Police Department provided updates during a press conference earlier this week, detailing the circumstances of the tragic incident.
“He was working extremely hard to support his family. He dropped off a passenger and was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by several young suspects. It appears, through our investigation, that these suspects may have been trying to take his vehicle,” Parsons claimed.
“During that interaction, one of the suspects shot Nasrat. They then fled from the scene, running through an alley, where they were captured by surveillance video that was instrumental in solving this case,” per WJLA.
Additional suspects remain at large in Lyft driver's homicide case
After eight months of intensive work by the homicide detectives, a 15-year-old boy became a focal point in the investigation.
On Friday, March 1, the teen, whose identity remains undisclosed, was arrested and charged with "felony murder while armed".
Despite this arrest, multiple outstanding suspects involved in the homicide are still at large, prompting a plea from Assistant Chief Parsons for the community to "come forward" with any pertinent information.
“The reckless actions of these teens cost a man’s life and shattered a family just starting out on their journey in this country. No arrest will be able to make them whole, but today’s arrest sends a message loud and clear. To those looking to introduce guns on our streets, our detectives do not rest until reckless actions like this are met with severe consequences," he stated.
Who was Nasrat Ahmad Yar?
Ahmad Yar, the sole provider for his wife and four children, ranging from 15 months to 13 years old, was working an extra late shift at the ride-share company when the incident occurred.
Jeramie Malone, who assisted Ahmad Yar and his family in escaping Afghanistan, said, "He was in a lot of danger in Afghanistan, so yeah, for him to come here and in less than two years after arriving in the States — it’s really devastating,” reported Fox.
"I don’t have words for it. It’s unfathomable how senseless this is for somebody who came here for the express opposite reasons," veteran and friend Matthew Butler echoed similar sentiments.
Lyft also extended condolences, with a spokesperson expressing the company's sadness about Ahmad Yar's death.
"Our hearts are with Mr Nasrat's loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy. We have reached out to his family to offer our support and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation," noted the company.
A GoFundMe page set up by loved ones has raised over $520,000 for his family.
