Two taxi operators were shot, one fatally, by unknown assailants at a Texaco gas station at the intersection of Molynes and Waltham Park roads in St Andrew on Tuesday evening.

The circumstances that led to the incident are still unclear. However, the police’s Corporate Communication Unit confirmed the incident, adding that the second taxi operator turned up at hospital with gunshot wounds shortly after his colleague was pronounced dead.

This is reportedly the 11th taxi operator gunned down this year.

Detectives from the St Andrew Central Police Division are investigating the incident.

In the meantime, Egeton Newman, the president of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS) said he is deeply saddened at the slaying of yet another taxi operator in the line of duty by “cowardly gun toting men”.

“The continued slaying of our transport operators in this fashion cannot and should not be allowed to continue … a way need to be found, and if this is not done with some degree of urgency, we are going to see transport operators dying like dogs on our streets as it would be very clear that no one cares,” Newman said.

Newman condemned the incident, calling it a “dark day” for the industry. He said TODSS and its associate groups and individuals are calling on the ministers of national security and transport to sit with the sector to carve out some solution to this ongoing problem.

“Our condolences and sympathies to the families of our fallen brothers and colleagues, join us on Wednesday March 29 at 11 am at the site of our fallen brother for a moment of silence. Our Chaplin Prophet Roydel Rowe and the team will visit the families with prayers and support,” Newman said.

Newman urged all transport operators to be “very conscious of their operational space and take nothing for granted”.