Muzik shooting raises questions about cabbie fare refusals

The Toronto woman who was shot and killed outside Muzik nightclub tried to flee the area in a cab, but was turned away because the fare to her destination would have been only $8, according to The Toronto Star.

Franca Abate told the Star she and her friend, Arelia Navarro-Fenoy, tried to flee the area after gunfire erupted at the club, which is located at Exhibition Place, early Tuesday morning.

Abate told the Star about 10 cabbies parked on Dufferin Street and seemingly unaware of the danger "all refused us" because of the low fare.

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Navarro-Fenoy, 26, was shotmoments later just north of the Dufferin Gates. She was rushed to hospital, where she later died.

Duvel Hibbert, 23, of Brampton also died in the shooting. He was found dead on the club's patio.

Industry-wide problem

The incident is raising questions about cab drivers refusing fares and of the city's bylaw enforcement.

"If the cab industry in any way had a role to play in this, it's just simply not acceptable," said Alex Pierson, spokeswoman for Co-Op Cabs and Crown Taxis.

She said taxis refusing fares for no good reason has been an industry-wide problem for some time.

"The saddest thing is someone had to die for everyone to go 'Oh gee, there's a problem.'"

She says the city must do more to enforce its bylaws.

"They should have bylaw officers out there making sure that they're fining, ticketing and catching who's doing it," she said.

Drivers face fines

The city says taxis are not allowed to refuse any fare unless the driver feels his or her life is in danger. It says if a passenger complains, officials will investigate.

"If we have evidence to support a charge we will lay the charge fine of $200 out of court," said Tracey Cook, executive director of municipal licensing and standards. Repeat offenders are subject "higher penalties" in court.

The city says over the last year and a half it has received more than 280 complaints and laid 82 charges against drivers.

Officials are encouraging Navarro-Fenoy's friends to file a complaint so they can try to find the drivers who refused to take them.

Muzik's doors will be closed this weekend. The nightclub offered its condolences to the victims' loved ones in a statement, and said it is "focusing all our resources" on assisting the police investigation.

"We want these criminals brought to justice," the statement said.

Police have not named any suspects at this time, though two persons of interest have been described.