Illegal taxi driver in Esenyurt shoots police officer issuing a fine, then kills himself

During an inspection conducted by police teams in Istanbul's Esenyurt district, a taxi driver summoned via an app opened fire on a plainclothes traffic officer while proceedings were being initiated against him.

The retired police officer (E.A.), who was working as a taxi driver, shot himself with the same weapon following the attack. Police officer M.A.T. and E.A. were both critically injured in the incident.

The incident occurred on Fatih Sultan Mehmet Street in Esenyurt's Akevler neighborhood. According to information obtained, teams from the Traffic Inspection Branch Directorate were conducting an operation targeting illegal transport services.

During the inspection, a vehicle suspected of operating as an illegal taxi, which had been summoned via an app, was stopped by the teams.

Proceedings were initiated against the vehicle driver, retired police officer E.A. Upon learning that his vehicle would be impounded, the driver opened fire from behind on the police officer with a weapon he had with him after the procedures were completed.

In the attack, plainclothes traffic officer M.A.T. was shot in the back and critically injured. Retired police officer E.A. then shot himself with the same weapon following the attack.

Upon notification, numerous police and medical teams were dispatched to the scene. The injured police officer M.A.T. and E.A. were transported to the hospital following initial intervention by medical teams at the scene.

MARTYRED

In the attack, plainclothes traffic officer M. Ali Topatan was shot in the back and critically injured. The police officer, who was rushed to the hospital, could not be saved despite all interventions and was martyred.