Dying on the Sidewalk After a Violent Carjacking
A 66-year-old grandfather was assaulted by 2 teen girls during a carjacking
Mohammad Anwar was a 66-year-old grandfather when he lost his life in an attempted carjacking. He had only been living in the United States for a few years having arrived from Pakistan in 2014. He worked as an Uber Eats food delivery driver in Springfield, Virginia, and was a father of 3 adult children and 4 grandkids. He was a breadwinner for his family.
Anwar’s life took a horrible turn on March 23, 2021, during an attempted carjacking by 2 teenage girls aged 13 and 15.
The fatal carjacking
Anwar did his food delivery runs in a Honda Accord. He was near Nationals Park in Washington D.C. when the carjacking took place. While Anwar did not drive an expensive car, it was still a target for the carjackers.
Anwar was overpowered by 2 teenage girls, aged 13 and 15 who had taser guns and used them on him. They forced their way into the car.
Anwar tried to prevent the girls from driving away with his car. He struggled with them and clung to the driver’s side door as the carjackers started driving it away. Instead of slowing down the car for the safety of the clinging man, the carjacker girls started speeding.
They ended up crashing into a metal fence and crushing Anwar whose body was positioned between the metal fence and the car door. Anwar was thrown out of the car and lay dying on the sidewalk while the carjacker girls simply climbed out unscathed and tried to escape.
Sadly, Anwar suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Meanwhile, the carjackers were temporarily detained by 2 National Guardsmen.
The entire shocking incident was witnessed on video taken by a bystander.
The teenage girls were eventually charged with carjacking and felony murder. They pleaded “not guilty.” Due to their youth, they were not tried in an adult court and prosecutors offered a plea deal to the teens for a lighter sentence.
While the complete details of the plea deal were not revealed, reports state that the 13-year-old would have to admit guilt and then be placed in a youth shelter, detention, or probation. The deal for both girls additionally stipulated that they would not be placed in a prison facility or held until the age of 21.
A GoFundMe raised almost $1 million in funds for Anwar’s family. However, it is small consolation for the loss of his life.
What to do in a carjacking
There are many other horrifying stories of carjackings. Some end with fatalities like Anwar while others result in stolen cars and loss of belongings. Cities like Chicago are seeing increased cases of carjackings.
How do you protect yourself against carjackers and what do you do when you are held up by such an incident?
Half the battle is being prepared for the worst. This means your cell phone needs to be charged and ready at all times. It doesn't need to be said but you should avoid certain areas and neighborhoods especially when you are alone in your vehicle.
Most people may believe that driving an expensive car may be a motivation to be attacked by carjackers but the truth is you could be attacked driving in any vehicle. Don’t leave any valuables or your purse out in the open on the car seat. Make sure everything is hidden.
In the worst case, if you end up being carjacked, the most important thing to do is to give up your car. Don’t fight for it. Your life isn’t worth losing no matter how expensive the car is. Besides, you could always recover your car. You can help your case by prominently marking the VIN number in different locations on your car. This will make it harder for the thieves to utilize your car but will help the police identify your car.
If you have a child or baby in the car, talk to the carjackers and have them give up your child and let them have your car. Negotiating may not always work but you must try.
Finally, Anwar did not have a choice in his death. He was callously killed by 2 teens who did not care about the repercussions of their actions. It goes without saying that you should always be aware of the people around you and your surroundings.
Sources: WGN-TV, CBS News, The Print, ABC 7 News, Insurance Information Institute, NBC News, Washington Examiner
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