Prior to being fatally shot, Muzik nightclub attendee was denied taxicab rides10659245 978348522190582 985922938124864757 N

Prior to being fatally shot, Muzik nightclub attendee was denied taxicab rides

Ariela Navarro-Fenoy, 26, lost her life early Tuesday morning after trying to flee a shooting inside of Toronto’s Muzik Nightclub, which left 23-year-old Duvel Hibbert dead and three others injured.

Navarro-Fenoy and her friend, Franca Abate, departed the club immediately following the initial gunshots and headed toward a line of taxis on Dufferin St. It was there that they made multiple failed attempts to catch a cab, but were refused because “They said it was only an $8 fare.”

The two women proceeded to walk down the street in search of other transportation options – all at the cost of Ariela’s life. Two men were arguing, and one of them opened fire, leaving her motionless and bleeding on the ground. About five minutes later, a police officer showed up to perform CPR, but the 26-year-old could not be resuscitated.

Tracey Cook, City of Toronto municipal licensing and standards director, argues that “Refusing a fare based on the distance or the amount the fare will total is not acceptable and not in compliance with the bylaw.” She went on to admit that her office has received 286 complaints in the last year-and-a-half, with 82 charges made against drivers and cab owners for denying rides to customers traveling short distances. Even so, a young life could have easily been saved had one of the numerous cabs offered to drive the two women home despite their nearby destination.

Muzik Nightclub remains closed this weekend to assist with further investigation of last week’s incident. The venue has since released a formal statement via social media:

“It’s only been a few days since the tragic incident at Muzik shocked us all. We continue to struggle with the horror of Tuesday morning. This is not the Toronto we know and love. It was a horrific end to a weekend of events celebrating our city and its culture, ruined by the actions of a few criminals,” the statement read. “Our deepest condolences go to the friends and families of the victims. We have full confidence Toronto Police will get to the bottom of this horrific incident and bring these people to justice.”

Via: CP24, The Star

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