The investigation into the death of a 57-year-old cab driver in Rahway is continuing.
Imad Alasmar of Edison was gunned down in his taxi on Aug. 25, according to Union County Acting Prosecutor Grace H. Park.
Shortly before 11 p.m., Rahway police patrol units were called to the 1400 block of Bedford Street and found the body of Alasmar in his taxi.
Immediately after the shooting, Alasmar’s vehicle collided with a parked car, resulting in injuries to an adult male and an adult female, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
A GoFundMe web page created by Nermein Salam described Alasmar as a hardworking man and devoted husband to his wife of 25 years, Ibtesam, and father of 10 children, ages 8 to 22. “He meant everything to me,” Ibtesam Alasmar told reporters through tears outside their Edison home on Aug. 26. “I spent my whole life for him; I’m going to spend the rest of my life for his kids and I’m not going to give up.”
A funeral for Alasmar was held at the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson on Aug. 28.
Alasmar loved his job as a taxi driver because it allowed him to meet new people every day; however, his family always worried about him going to work and prayed for him daily, according to Salam.
Born in Jordan, Alasmar came to the United States in 1990, striving to support his family and tried to find a better life for himself. He worked for Station Cab Inc. in Rahway for about four years. He previously had worked at 7-Eleven and QuickChek convenience stores when he first came to America, but originally was an English teacher in Jordan.
Thomas Maye, owner of Station Cab Inc., said Alasmar worked the night shift at his company.
“He was an honest, hardworking and perfect employee to have,” he said.
The GoFundMe page for Alasmar’s family had garnered $21,455 in donations as of Aug. 31, with a goal of $30,000.
Two more GoFundMe pages have been created to provide assistance to the Alasmar family.
Carol Buckland, a friend and coworker of Alasmar’s oldest son Imad Jr., set up a fund to assist in the expenses of the burial, food, utilities and any other bills.
As of Aug. 31, about $3,110 had been raised, with a goal of $15,000. Buckland wrote in an update on the page that the family is “extremely grateful” for everyone’s prayers, love and support through this difficult time. Current and former Edison School District teachers and guidance counselors, who have taught and worked with many of the Alasmar children, have started the third GoFundMe page.
The shooting remains under active joint investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the Rahway Police Department.
Anyone with information about this matter is asked to contact Homicide Task Force Detective Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491 or Sgt. Kevin Grimmer at 908-447-3777.
The Union County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting “UCTIP” and a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at www.uctip.org.