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Suspect in Fatal Livery Driver Shooting Arrested in North Carolina

By Camille Bautista | September 1, 2015 2:53pm
 Deputies in North Carolina arrested Unique Gray, who is wanted for the fatal shooting of a livery cab driver in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Deputies in North Carolina arrested Unique Gray, who is wanted for the fatal shooting of a livery cab driver in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
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Pitt County Detention Center

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A man wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of a livery driver in Bedford-Stuyvesant has been arrested in North Carolina, according to officials.

Pitt County Sheriff deputies arrested Unique Gray, of East New York, on Sunday after nearly a weeklong manhunt by local authorities.

In July, the NYPD identified Gray as a suspected gunman who shot and killed Naji Fawaz inside his cab on Decatur Street on June 29.  The 23-year-old is a known gang member with 15 prior arrests, according to police.

Investigators believe Fawaz, a father from Yemen, had been robbed and attacked by passengers he picked up.

Police arrested another suspect, Tyrell Gardenhire, on July 3 for his alleged involvement in the shooting.

Gray was arrested in Greenville, N.C. after arousing the suspicion of local police.

On Aug. 25, Gray was riding in a car when the driver failed to stop at a sign, police said. Police pulled the car over and Gray identified himself as Jaral Davis and ran from the scene, according to the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

After a chase with deputies and a police dog, officials lost his trail. But they kept trying, according to Christy Wallace, public information director for the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

“Our deputies felt like there was something more to the story so they kept trying to find him,” Wallace said.

Further investigation revealed that Gray gave a fake name and was hiding at a local motel. While officials were trying to make contact, Gray fled the room and the trail went cold a second time, police said.

On Aug. 30, an officer spotted him walking in Greenville. Following a chase, officials arrested Gray and took him to Pitt County Detention Center.

Gray was awaiting extradition to New York City on Tuesday afternoon, according to Wallace.

An NYPD spokeswoman confirmed the extradition process is underway.

Two of Gray's friends in North Carolina were charged with conspiracy and harboring a fugitive, police said.