Uber driver, 54, who once chauffeured Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson, is still in a coma a month after five ‘drunk’ passengers viciously attacked him in New York City
- Mohamad Al-Gahaffi, 54, was attacked on February 5 at 4.45am in Manhattan
- Al-Gahaffi had just picked up five boozy passengers from a strip club in Queens
- During drive, he asked group of three men and two women to stop drinking in car
- His plea led to a verbal dispute that poured onto the corner of East 62nd Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan, officers from the NYPD said
- Police released surveillance video and images of alleged attackers on Saturday
- Al-Gahaffi, who drove for Samuel L. Jackson and Robert De Niro, is still in coma
An Uber driver, who once drove for Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson, is still in a coma a month after he was attacked by five passengers in New York City.
Mohamad Al-Gahaffi, 54, was viciously attacked by five people on February 5 around 4.45am after he picked up the boozy group from a strip club in Queens.
During the drive, Al-Gahaffi asked the group of three men and two women to stop drinking in his car.
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Uber driver, Mohamad Al-Gahaffi (left and right), 54, who once drove for stars such as Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson, is still in a coma a month after he was attacked by five passengers in New York City
Authorities released footage of the attack on Saturday, but neither Al-Gahaffi or the two women were seen in the video. This still image shows the three male passengers during a brief scuffle
In the footage, two of the male passengers are seen briefly fighting as a third suspect tries to break them up. Toward the end of the footage, two of the three men are seen walking toward the corner of East 62nd Street
His plea for them to stop led to a verbal dispute that poured onto the corner of East 62nd Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan, officers from the NYPD said.
Authorities released footage of the attack on Saturday, but neither Al-Gahaffi or the two women were seen in the video.
In the footage, two of the male passengers are seen during a brief scuffle as a third suspect tries to break them up.
Toward the end of the footage, two of the men are seen walking toward the corner of East 62nd Street.
At some point, one of the male passengers, punched Al-Gahaffi in the face, knocking him to the ground. That moment wasn’t captured in the footage released by police.
First responders rushed Al-Gahaffi to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition.
Authorities have also released surveillance images of the alleged attackers, but no arrests have been made
According to a police report, Al-Gahaffi suffered severe head trauma. He was later placed into a coma and upgraded to critical but stable condition.
Family friend, Omer Seman, 25, told the New York Post: ‘I wouldn’t wish this on anybody and the community wishes him well.’
Seman also said that Al-Gahaffi is beloved at his local mosque where he would occasionally lead prayer.
According to Seman, Al-Gahaffi used to chauffeur De Niro, Jackson, Mark Whalberg and other A-list celebrities in the early 1990s after he immigrated from Yemen.
At the time, Al-Gahaffi was working for BLS Limo service. He later worked as a yellow cab driver before driving for Uber.
Authorities have also released surveillance images of the alleged attackers, but no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Family friend, Omer Seman, 25, said that Al-Gahaffi used to chauffeur De Niro (right), Jackson (left), Mark Whalberg and other A-list celebrities in the early 1990s after he immigrated from Yemen