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No Known Motive Or Suspects In Cab Driver's Death

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By CARLOS MONCADA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 4, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Police on Saturday continued to investigate the killing of a St. Petersburg cab driver, who died Friday night after he was shot and crashed into an apartment complex.

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

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

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

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

Police said they had no motive and no suspects.

Maurice Thurston, who lived 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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