Slain cab driver's family getting community's support

43-year-old shot, killed last Saturday; No one arrested

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a Gator CIty Taxi driver shot and killed while on the job is getting a lot of support and help from the community.

Stuart Carson, 43, was sitting in his cab on West 27th Street on the Northside last Saturday night when, his wife said, someone robbed him, then shot and killed him.

Carson's family said they had worried about paying for a proper funeral, so earlier this week an online donation fund was created.

Kelly Redington Carson, Stuart's wife, broke down when talking about the community's help during her darkest hour.

"We're very grateful for the help," she said.

In the five days since it was created, more than 100 people have made donations through the GoFundMe website, and more than $7,000 has been raised. The money will pay for funeral costs and other expenses.

"It makes us feel really good that there's still good people out there willing to help, just really good people," Redington Carson said.

No arrests have been made in the killing. For Carson's family, the pain of losing him is unbearable. His 12-year-old daughter, Kayla, wears his glasses to remember him.

"That's his pile over there, and they put on his shirts because they hadn't been washed yet and they still smelt like him," Redington Carson said. "And they put his glasses on and took a picture in his shirt and glasses, and I put it on Facebook."

For Carson's daughter, the support, especially emotionally, has helped a lot.

"I know so far three of my teachers donated, and that was really nice of them," Kayla Carson said. "So I just want to say thank you, I just really want these bad guys to get caught."

Just days after Stuart Carson's killing, another cab driver was attacked on the job. As police continue their investigation into Carson's death, Redington Carson's hope is to see the violence stop.

"More protection for cab drivers, police officers, anyone in that kind of field that's out there working hard and trying to do their job," she said. "And they can't even do their job because there's bad people out there that just don't care what they're taking away from somebody else."

To help with funeral expenses, go to GoFundMe.com.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.