SEBASTIAN – The man Sebastian Police say tried to rob a cab driver and ultimately was shot and killed has been identified as Jason Murtha. His cousin, who was also involved has been identified. The identity of the cab driver, however, remains undisclosed.
According to the Sebastian Police Department, Jason Murtha, 36, and his cousin, Michael Hains, 34, called for a cab near their home, at the corner of Periwinkle and Concha drives, early in the morning of May 30.
The cab driver told authorities that he knew Murtha from previous calls for transportation and that, in this instance, Murtha got into the cab directly behind him and Hains got in on the passenger side.
Murtha then pulled a knife and put it to the cab driver’s throat and demanded his money, according to what the driver told police. The driver gave Murtha his money and at some point during the incident, all three men got out of the van.
Murtha continued threatening the driver, the driver told authorities. Fearing for his life, the driver pulled a gun and fired several rounds, striking Murtha multiple times. Murtha and Hains then fled the scene on foot and were later found by Sebastian Police at their home on Cownie Lane.
Murtha was taken to Sebastian River Medical Center to be treated for his injuries but he died en route, according to the police department.
“Our obligation to all parties involved is to conduct a full and impartial investigation, and determine what occurred based on the statements and evidence available,” said Detective Sergeant Dan Acosta. “We are working closely with the State Attorney’s Office of the 19th Circuit in conducting this investigation. An autopsy has been conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office for the 19th Circuit and we are also awaiting their results.”
This case is still an active criminal investigation, the department said, and as such no charges have yet been filed.
This article was originally published at 5:08 p.m. May 30.
