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Cab Driver Shot And Killed In St. Petersburg

News Channel 8 photo by ANTHONY ALLRED

Tire tracks show where Cyril M. Obinku’s taxi came to rest after he was fatally shot Friday night in St. Petersburg.

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TBO Staff Report

Published: May 3, 2008

Updated: 05/03/2008 03:45 pm

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ST. PETERSBURG Police are looking for suspects in the killing of a St. Petersburg cab driver, who died Friday night after being shot and crashing into an apartment complex, authorities reported.

The victim was identified as Cyril M. Obinka, 43, of 69th Avenue South in St. Petersburg.

Police discovered Obinka about 9:45 p.m. after responding to a report of an accident at 5420 26th St. South, where his Blue Star cab had crashed into a building at the Palm View Apartment complex, Sgt. T.A. Skinner reported.

Obinka was unconscious when found and died at Bayfront Medical Center, Skinner said.

It was first thought that he died of injuries suffered in the crash. But further investigation revealed large amounts of blood in the cab and a gunshot wound to the upper body, said Skinner.

Police say they have no motive and no suspects in the case.

Maurice Thurston, who lives next door to Obinka in the Bay Vista Park neighborhood, said he spoke briefly with Obinka's wife after hearing about his death.

"I was stunned, as they were," Thurston said. "We couldn't say much. It's sinking in now."

He said he last saw Obinka on Friday, when they waved to each other.

"A week before last he had his baby's christening, and he invited me over to it," Thurston said. "I'm just distraught. He was a most wonderful person. He was really a great guy."

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