Livery 'Turf War' May Have Sparked Bronx Shopping Cart Assault

By: Tara Lynn Wagner

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Two livery cab drivers were hospitalized Monday after a third flung a shopping cart at them from the third floor of a Bronx parking lot, and the president of the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers says a "turf war" over fares at the location may be to blame. NY1’s Tara Lynn Wagner filed the following report.

There's a war going on at the Gateway Center.

“It’s a turf war. It's that simple. We've heard over years there's been many fights and many arguments about who is picking who up,” said Fernando Mateo, president of the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers.

Sources tell NY1 an argument over fares on Monday ended when one driver went to the mall's third level, lifted a shopping cart over the four foot barrier, and let it crash onto the two drivers below.

Ibrahima Sagne, 30, and Camara Lounceny, 52, were struck in the head. Mateo visited them at Lincoln Hospital.

“They are in good spirits, but they are very lucky to have survived,” said Mateo.

Signs outside Gateway Plaza prohibit unauthorized taxis from picking up fares. Damien Rodriguez is president of First Class Car and Limo, a company that is authorized. He said while cabbies may fight for fares there, his drivers feel safe.

“If somebody did this, it’s because they planned to do it. So that can happen anywhere,” said Rodriguez.

Mateo said illegal drivers and legal ones are fighting to make a living. The two victims in this case are both unlicensed.

Monday's scene was reminiscent of an incident in the East River Plaza Mall last October. Two 12-year-olds threw a cart off a walkway, seriously injuring a woman below. The boys pleaded guilty to assault.

“I would think people would learn their lesson and not do it again, but it seems people like people like to learn the hard way or maybe they just want to go to jail,” said one New Yorker.

To ease the tension, Mateo is calling for a dispatch system at the Gateway Center, similar to the system at airports. In the meantime, shoppers are on edge and thinking twice before they walk below the parking garage.

“It’s disturbing. It makes you insecure about walking under anything with an overhang,” said one shopper.

Police are checking surveillance video as they hunt for a suspect. Mateo said if one isn't found by Thursday morning, his group will offer a reward for information leading to an arrest.