WASHINGTON — A 15-year-old boy will be charged with first-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of a 31-year-old Lyft driver, according to DC Police.
Nasrat Ahmad Yar, of Alexandria, was driving for the rideshare platform on July 3, 2023, just after midnight when he was shot. Officers responded to the 400 block of 11th Street Northeast for reports of an unconscious person. When officers arrived they found a man, later identified as Ahmad Yar, inside of his car with gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment, where he later died.
Surveillance videos from the area showed four boys running down an alley near the scene. The camera was able to pick up audio between the group. One boy could be heard yelling "You killed him" and another responded saying "He was reaching bro. He was about to get out...he was reaching bro."
Police later released the video asking for the public's help in identifying the people in the video.
In a press conference Friday, Assistant Chief of the Homeland Security Bureau Leslie Parsons and DC Police Chief Pamela Smith said the teen's arrest was due in part to community tips law enforcement received over the last eight months. Parsons added that while this arrest is a step forward in the case, they are still searching for multiple people linked to this murder.
"The reckless actions of these teens cost a man's life and shattered a family just starting out on their journey in this country," Parsons said. "No arrest will be able to make them whole, but today's news sends a message loud and clear to those looking to introduce guns on our streets, our detectives do not rest until the reckless actions like this are met with severe consequences."
Yar served as an interpreter alongside the U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan. He and his family escaped after the fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban in 2021. Yar left behind a wife and four children.
“I will tell you I take it sometimes very personally," Chief Smith said. "Here was a man starting out in the United States. He served our country ... Since July of last year, we've extended our condolences to the family. What I will say is we are intentional. This took us eight months and what we want to make sure is we have all of the investigative tools and everything we need to bring these people to justice."
WUSA9 spoke to Ahmad Yar's family members Friday, who said while they are relieved an arrest was made, it's not enough to fill the gap of losing a loved one.
"The person who did this owes a tremendous debt to society," said Jeramie Malone, a friend of Ahmad Yar. "At 15 years old you're not too young to know that you're not supposed to steal, that it's wrong to kill people," she added.
She and her volunteer organization helped him and his family escape Afghanistan in 2021.
"His real guiding force to survive was he wanted to be there for his children. His children were his life," said Malone.
More than $500,000 has been raised to help his wife and four young children.
This remains an active investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to call 202-727-9099. Those who wish to remain anonymous can text the tip line to 50411.
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
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