In the pre-dawn hours of March 15, 2018, Robert Crall, a 54-year-old man known to his friends and family as "Big Dave," began his shift as a cab driver in Tacoma, Washington. Despite feeling tired and being urged by loved ones to stay home, he went to work. That morning, he picked up a 19-year-old man in the 5800 block of South Montgomery Street. This would be his final fare.
Shortly into the ride, the passenger, later identified as Eddie Lamont Hogan, pulled a bandana over his face in an attempt to rob the good-natured driver who had been behind the wheel of a taxi for two years.
The attempted robbery escalated tragically, and Hogan shot Crall in the chest. Crall was found on the sidewalk outside his cab. A nearby resident heard the commotion and rushed to his side, holding his hand in his final moments so he wouldn't be alone. He was pronounced dead at the scene, becoming the city's sixth homicide victim of the year. The senseless act of violence cut short the life of a man remembered by his 27-year-old son and ex-wife, with whom he remained good friends, as incredibly friendly, generous, and funny.
The investigation moved swiftly. Detectives released a photo of the suspect taken from the cab's security camera, seeking the public's help. The following day, an officer spotted Eddie Lamont Hogan walking in the 5800 block of South Birmingham Street and took him into custody. It was soon discovered that the murder of Robert Crall was part of a violent crime spree. In the 30 hours surrounding the murder, Hogan had committed other armed robberies within a few blocks of the scene, including pistol-whipping one man and robbing a woman in her home at gunpoint.
Eddie Lamont Hogan was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and a host of other felonies related to his crime spree. In November 2019, a jury found him guilty on all counts. At his sentencing in December of that year, the court heard about the devastating impact of his actions on the victims and their families. Crall's cousin spoke of the immense sorrow and heartache his death had caused. Hogan was sentenced to 62 years and three months in prison for the murder of Robert Crall and the other crimes he committed.
