WASHINGTON — The family of a Virginia man who was allegedly carjacked Tuesday in Southeast D.C. calls his loss immeasurable.
The Metropolitan Police Department (D.C. Police) says Muhammad Anwar, 66, of Springfield, Virginia, died after two teenagers assaulted him with a Taser while trying to carjack him, and he was killed due to a crash that followed.
A 13-year-old from Southeast D.C. and a 15-year-old from Fort Washington, Maryland have been charged with felony murder and armed carjacking in connection to the crime.
Anwar loved ones said he was the provider for his family. They say the UberEats driver, who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan, leaves behind a wife, three adult children, and four grandchildren.
“The family is devastated by this senseless crime. Mohammad Anwar was a father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, and uncle beloved by many here in the United States and in Pakistan, his birth country," said Anwar's family in a statement. "He was a hardworking immigrant who came to the United States in 2014, working tirelessly to build a better life for himself and his family. He chose happiness each day and it was infectious. The loss felt by his death is immeasurable and he is missed tremendously by family and friends.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to assist Anwar’s family with its loss of income. The page also says some funds will also be used to organize a traditional Islamic funeral in his memory.
In less than six hours, the page has raised more than $36,000 for Anwar's family.
The defendants in the case appeared in court Wednesday afternoon.
The prosecution shared witness video of the alleged carjacking.
Prosecutors claimed Anwar encountered the girls as they were trying to steal his Honda Accord. They said Anwar became wedged between a car door and the driver’s seat as the two teenagers, who were inside the car, set the gear into drive.
Court officials say the car then sped down Van Street SE as Anwar was hanging from it. They said the car then hit something, causing the door to swing back and hit Anwar.
They said the car then turned right onto N Street SE. The video showed that Anwar flying from the car before it would ultimately crash into two parked cars.
The court concluded that both teens acted together while committing the crime. DC Police say the teens also assaulted Anwar with a taser during the incident.
A judge concluded the teens present a substantial risk to persons and property and are also a potential flight risk. The judge ordered that they remained detained until their next hearing on March 31.
Over the last year, DC Police say carjackings have become a major point of concern for their agency. The department said in 2021, 23 juveniles have been arrested in the District for committing that crime.
MPD data shows there have been 95 carjackings in DC in 2021. That’s almost three times the amount of carjackings there were in DC this same time last year.
In early February, DC Police Chief Robert Contee announced the formation of a regional carjacking task force to address the issue. He said many carjackers were targeting delivery drivers and that 1st Street SE in Navy Yard had become a “hot spot” for such activity.
Uber shared a statement Wednesday in regard to Anwar's death.
“We are devastated by this tragic news and our hearts go out to Mohammad’s family during this difficult time. We’re grateful the suspects have been arrested and thank the Metropolitan Police Department for their diligence with this
investigation,” the statement read.