Niece of slain cab driver: "This process is just beginning"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla – The niece of a cab driver who was killed last month sat down with News4Jax to speak about her family's loss.

62-year-old Melvin Wright was shot and killed while on the job with Gator City Taxi on Jan. 30.

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"The last week and a half has been traumatic for us," said Martha Lawson, Wright's niece. "It's been hard, it's been very overwhelming for the simple fact of having to bury such a fine, fine, fine, young gentleman."

Lawson described her Uncle Melvin as a outgoing person who enjoyed life. "When he came to an event or he came to a gathering...he was the life of the party," Lawson said. "If you didn't know him when you got there, you were sure to know him when you left."

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested three teenagers in connection with Wright's death. Officers said Tionne Williams, 15, Deron Brown, 18, and Tavione Williams, 17 called for a cab ride and when Wright arrived, the three suspects stole Wright's money and Brown shot him with a rifle.

Lawson told News4Jax she was surprised to learn from police that teenagers were arrested in connection with her uncle's death. "Unfortunately to us at this point, the ages don't matter. Once you learn right from wrong, you know good and bad... You have a choice to make. You chose to go the path that you went," Lawson said.

Wright's death was one of 15 homicides in Jacksonville in the month of January. The rash of crime caused city leaders, including Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams, to take action. Thursday night, Mayor Curry held a meeting at Florida State College Jacksonville's Northside campus to get community feedback about how to prevent crime.

When News4Jax asked Lawson what she thinks should be done, her answer was simple. "Ultimately,  learning and direction starts at home," Lawson said. "I think more activities for our youth, and more positive things for them to be involved in would be a better route to go, versus allowing them to be so much influenced by their environment."

Wright's funeral was held Wednesday. But Lawson said, this is far from over for her family. "This process is just beginning for us. Yes, we have suspects and yes we have to go back and forth, but this changes our lives forever."