A man is found fatally shot in his taxicab In the late hours of August 20, 2009, Joseph Adefolalu, a Nigerian man, was working his shift as a taxi driver in Greensboro, North Carolina, a job he had held for three years to bring in extra money for his family. He was not a man who was easily frightened, despite the inherent dangers of his profession. His wife of 23 years, Anire, would later recall that he was aware of the risks, the stories of robberies and even murders, but he drove without fear.
His friendly and open nature led him to engage his passengers in conversation, seeing it as an opportunity to connect with people.
On that fateful night, however, his shift ended in tragedy. Adefolalu was found fatally shot in his taxicab in the 1900 block of Mayfair Avenue. Investigators determined that he was the victim of an apparent robbery. The news came as a devastating shock to his loved ones. Anire Adefolalu described the experience as a bad dream from which she hoped to awaken.
Joseph Adefolalu was more than just a taxi driver; he was a man of many accomplishments and deep faith. He had served as a Nigerian Diplomat, was a respected deacon in his church, and was also a published author of Christian books. In a sad twist of fate, his last book was published on the very day he was killed.
The investigation into Joseph Adefolalu's murder remains unsolved, and his case is now considered a cold case homicide. In the immediate aftermath, Greensboro police followed up on several tips that came through Crimestoppers, but these leads did not result in an arrest. To this day, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with his death. A Governor's reward of $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his murder. His wife has expressed her hope that the perpetrator will be caught and will repent for their actions, emphasizing the profound and lasting impact such violence has on families.
