As the nation grapples with the horrific and senseless killing of an Uber Eats driver, the victim’s relatives are urging people not to share the disturbing footage that shows his final moments.
Mohammad Anwar died on Tuesday March 23 after he was attacked with a stun gun during a carjacking in Washington, D.C. Two teenage girls, aged 13 and 15, have since been charged with felony murder and armed carjacking.
A week after his death, the tragic killing of a person who has been described as a humble family man working to support his dependents, has gripped the nation.
That is partly because of the graphic video that captured much of the incident, which began circulating on social media on Saturday. The footage, which was posted on Twitter, begins with Anwar trying to sound the alarm about the two girls trying to take his car. “This is my car”, he says at one point.
The video then shows the two suspects speeding off in the vehicle with him trapped half-way outside of the driver’s side. Onlookers are heard commenting that a theft is in progress. The vehicle then crashes, and Anwar is seen lying critically wounded on the sidewalk.
Meanwhile, the two girls are able to clamber out of the vehicle seemingly unscathed. One of them even remarks that she has left her cellphone inside the wreck.
Out of respect for the wishes of Anwar’s family, first reported by Newsweek, Crazy America has decided not to include a link to the shocking footage.
Anwar, 66, of Springfield, Virginia, was later pronounced dead in an area hospital after lifesaving efforts failed.
“I understand videos of my brother-in-law, Mohammad Anwar’s murder are being circulated online,” Akbar wrote. “I am humbly asking everyone we know to not watch and to especially not share with any of our family members.”
As of Tuesday, the video had been viewed over 8 million times. Twitter has said that it does not violate its rules, Newsweek reported.
In another post, Akbar said Anwar’s Janazah, a Muslim funeral, had been held on Friday. “We are beyond grateful for everyone’s support,” he wrote.
A GoFundMe page that was set up last week to pay for Anwar’s funeral and support his family has amassed more than $950,000 in donations so far.
Lehra Bogino, who is married to Anwar’s nephew, wrote on the page that Anwar was the family’s financial provider. He was “a hard-working Pakistani immigrant who came to the United States to create a better life for him and his family,” she wrote.
Describing Anwar as a “beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend,” she added: “We will carry him with us always, but it doesn’t take the pain away of losing him so tragically and so unexpectedly soon.”
In an update, Bogino thanked people who offered condolences and those who made donations.
“Whether it was $1 or $100, we are so grateful that you were able, and willing, to donate to our family during this terrible time,” she wrote. “This money will help with providing Uncle Anwar with a proper Islamic burial, loss of wages for the family, and pain and suffering. Although money won’t fill the gaping hole that his death has left in our family, it will help remove some of the stress and worry of daily living while we grieve and heal.”