Taxi Driver Beaten to Death Remembered in Bronx

Taxi Driver Kutin Gyimah Remembered by Family, Friends

Abigail Barwuah (2nd left) the widow of murdered taxi driver Kutin Gyimah, speaks to a News 12 reporter as she was joined by Fernando Mateo (3rd left) the spokesman for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, at the wake in Allerton on Friday, September 23. -Photo by David Greene

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

September 27, 2022

BRONX - As family and friends held the final funeral rites at the Co-op City Community Center for murdered taxi driver Kutin Gyimah, police announced the fifth and final arrest of a Queens teenager who was charged with 'theft of service' as the suspects attempted to rob the driver and fled without paying the fare. Gyimah attempted to chase the suspects and was fatally beaten for doing so.

Earlier on September 23, mourners had gathered at the Ghana United Methodist Church on Reiss Place in the Allerton section for the wake and funeral service for the Co-op City taxi driver. Murdered in the early morning hours of August 13, the Gyimah family decided to wait for family members to obtain visas and travel from Ghana to America in order to pay their final respects.

Co-op City taxi driver Kutin Gyimah, 52, was punched and kicked by two adults and two teens in Queens on August 13, resulting in his death.

Abigail Barwuah, Gyimah's widow, was joined by family members as well as Fernando Mateo, the spokesman for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers. Before the funeral service Mateo issued a statement from Barwuah that stated, "It's been a while but the pain and suffering has only gotten worse. Raising 4 children by myself and explaining to them that their dad will never return has taken its toll on me."

In the same released statement, Mateo added, "Kutin was a brave man, a hard working father of 4, a man that lived for his family, his life was cut short by 4 teenagers and a 21-year-old." Mateo added, "This crime hurt the entire city and thousands of New Yorkers responded by donating close to $250,000 for (the) Gyimah family and the children left behind. We thank the thousands of people who helped this humble family."

According to police, officers from the 101st Precinct were called to Beach 54 Street at 6:29 a.m. on August 13, when officers discovered 52-year-old Gyimah lying in the roadway with trauma to the back of his head. Paramedics rushed Gyimah to Saint John's Hospital where he later died. 

At the time of his death police reported, "While operating a yellow NYC taxi minivan, with occupants therein, did discharge the passengers who attempted to rob him at the location. The victim gave chase and was struck by one or more of the suspects, leading him to fall to the ground, strike his head and lose consciousness."

On August 17, the NYPD released a surveillance video of the suspects walking in the street and even walking into a nearby building after beating and kicking Gyimah. One of the suspects had already been identified by police, so it would just be a matter of time.

The following day police announced the arrests of Austin Amos, 20, of Beach 56 Street, who was charged with manslaughter, gang assault, assault and theft of service. Nickolas Porter, 20, of Hassock Street was charged with gang assault and theft of service. Later on August 18, police apprehended an unidentified 15-year-old female who was charged with gang assault and theft of service.

On August 23rd, police announced the arrest of an unidentified 13-year-old female who was also charged with gang assault and theft of service.

Finally on September 23, as the family was mourning the death of Giymah near his home in Co-op City, the NYPD announced the fifth and final arrest in the case as an unidentified 16-year-old female had been arrested back on September 23. That individual was charged with theft of service.