BRONX, N.Y. — A tragic incident unfolded in the Bronx as a livery cab driver was killed during a road rage confrontation early Thursday morning, marking the first homicide of the new year. The shooting occurred shortly after 7 a.m., with police responding to reports at the intersection of Morris Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway.
The victim, identified as 55-year-old Issa Mbolo-Isac, was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical personnel declared him dead at the scene. Mbolo-Isac, an immigrant from Burkina Faso, had dedicated the last decade to driving, with five years spent working for Uber, as noted by a representative of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers.
Witnesses reported that Mbolo-Isac had been involved in a minor accident with another vehicle. Following the incident, two men began arguing with him, leading to a physical confrontation as they attempted to forcibly remove him from his car. When he drove off to escape, they reportedly fired shots through his window, striking him twice.
Fernando Mateo, a spokesperson for the Federation, described Mbolo-Isac as a kind and diligent worker who had not been involved in any trouble. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting the impact this event has on the entire livery industry. “To wake up on New Year’s Day to such devastating news is incredibly painful,” he stated.
Mbolo-Isac’s family shared their heartbreak, with his brother, Mounir Zoron, emphasizing his dedication to supporting his family. “He worked tirelessly every day and never deserved such a fate,” Zoron lamented. Mateo revealed that Mbolo-Isac had previously owned a taxi medallion, which he sold to purchase a home back in Burkina Faso.
In response to the murder, the Federation is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Mateo expressed confidence in law enforcement’s ability to bring justice, stating, “We believe that in the upcoming days, there will be progress in this investigation, but right now, our hearts are heavy.”
The violent start to the new year did not end with Mbolo-Isac’s death. Just minutes after the New Year’s celebration in Times Square, a 61-year-old man was shot in the leg in East New York. He was taken to a local hospital and reported to be in stable condition. Another incident involving a 26-year-old woman occurred later, leading to her hospitalization with a torso injury, with an arrest made in connection to that shooting.
Police also reported a separate shooting near Yankee Stadium around 8 a.m., where a gunman injured two men in an attack shortly after Mbolo-Isac’s murder. The suspect fled the scene, and the motives for these early morning shootings remain under investigation.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the violence to reach out, as the community grapples with the tragedies that have marred the beginning of 2026.