Cab driver fatally shot in suburban Maywood

MAYWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- A taxi cab driver was killed Friday night in suburban Maywood and police are searching for the gunman who may have been after the driver's money.

The first homicide of 2015 in Maywood and police are hoping that witnesses will come forward to help with their investigation. They said they believe the incident was a result of an armed robbery.

First responders found 34-year-old Seneca Richardson slumped over the wheel of his cab in the 1600-block of South 5th Avenue in Maywood around 9 p.m. Friday night. He had been shot in the back.

While the investigation is in the early stages detectives suspect robbery might have been the motive. Police say the blue cab he was driving was equipped with a camera and they are hoping that will provide evidence to help track down the gunman. They also hope to track calls to his cell phone, including the one leading to the last passenger he picked up.

"At this time, our investigators believe that the incident was a possible armed robbery," said Officer Persia Allen, Maywood Police Department.

Richardson's family said he was not responding to a call from the cab dispatch company, in fact he was not even on duty. They say he got a call on his cell phone, leading them to believe it may have been a regular customer.

"I couldn't believe it happened. Who was his enemy," said Duval Richardson.

Richardson lived in Bellwood and was a former Proviso West High School basketball star. His friends and family are trying to cope with the sudden loss, as well as comforting Richardson's 5-year-old son.

"He didn't deserve that. He was a good person, went to school, went to church. He did the good things, so I don't know why a person would want to shoot him, why would they want to rob him of all people," said friend Leon London.

Richardson's brother says the reality is just starting to set in for the family. Friends say Richardson was close to family members and that he was a jokester, the life of the party.