By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — A former Hillsborough resident has been charged with one count of murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the murder of a cab driver in Fairfax County, Va.
Evan Gargiulo, 22, of Reston, Va., turned himself in to Reston District Police on Nov. 4 for the murder of 49-year-old Mazhar Nazir, of Virginia.
According to Fairfax County police, investigators found Mr. Nazir in the driver’s seat of his taxicab Nov. 2, with an injury to his upper body. A search warrant issued by the police later reported that Mr. Nazir died from a gunshot wound to his head.
Police said a local citizen had seen Mr. Nazir’s vehicle parked in the same spot for more than six hours, and then called authorities to check on the welfare of the person inside.
The Washington Post reported that, in a Nov. 6 hearing, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Ian Rodway said the shooting was done in self-defense after Mr. Nazir became angry at Mr. Gargiulo for not being able to pay a $130 tab.
According to the Post, Mr. Rodway said Mr. Gargiulo’s wallet, cell phone and car keys had been stolen while he was at a Halloween party at a downtown Washington nightclub.
After a stop at his apartment where Mr. Rodway said Mr. Gargiulo picked up his car keys and his 9 mm pistol because he was feeling vulnerable in the car with the taxi driver Mr. Nazir drove him to another location and said the fare was $130.
Mr. Rodway said that Mr. Gargiulo thought he had hundreds of dollars on him, but that money had been lost, too, and Mr. Gargiulo did not have the cash to pay the fare, nor could he reach a friend to bring him the money.
The Post reported Mr. Rodway said there was a struggle as Mr. Nazir began to threaten Mr. Gargiulo, who grabbed his gun and fired.
Mr. Gargiulo called his parents in Hillsborough before leaving the scene, the Post reported.
Mr. Gargiulo, an engineer at Lockheed Martin, was a member of the varsity swim team at Hillsborough High School. He graduated in May from Penn State University where he coached the swim club team, and was a member of the ROTC, becoming a lieutenant in the National Guard.
Additional information was not available before press time Wednesday.

