Man accused of shooting Muslim cab driver to stand trial

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh man must stand trial on charges he shot a Muslim cab driver in the back -- but the victim said nothing about the suspect's alleged anti-Muslim statements that had prompted activists to press for hate crime charges.

Twenty-six-year-old Anthony Mohamed remained jailed Tuesday on attempted homicide and other charges after a hearing that included testimony from the cab driver, Hakim Ghorbal.

Police make arrest in shooting of Muslim cab driver

Mohammed hasn't been charged with a hate crime.

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A bullet is still lodged in Ghorbal’s back, right next to his spine, but he was able to walk to Tuesday’s preliminary hearing and face Mohamed.

Ghorbal previously told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Mohamed spoke about ISIS and satirized the prophet Muhammad before Ghorbal was shot Thanksgiving Day. But Ghorbal testified Tuesday there were no threats or arguments before the shooting.

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“There was no arguing. I had peace of mind. I didn’t feel unsafe or I wouldn’t have waited for him. I was expecting him to bring me my money,” Ghorbal said. "He appeared with a rifle, and I didn’t expect that."

The defense said Mohamed was in his house retrieving cab fare when someone else shot Ghorbal.

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“We aren't contesting my client was a passenger, went to get his wallet and while he was gone someone else committed this horrendous act,” said defense attorney Randall McKinney.

WPXI