INUVIK - After a cab driver was shot last week, some might think the taxi service would change in Inuvik, but cabbies say otherwise.

The incident happened last Thursday, when a cab driver was shot in the back with a 22-calibre rifle by a passenger wearing a mask.

Mohammed Alley has been driving a taxi for 14 years in Inuvik. He said he is not worried after last week's shooting of a cab driver. He said the incident was isolated and the community is not to blame. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

According to the victim's family, Khalid El Khatib was en route to the airport with a passenger when the cab driver was instructed to pull over and threatened with a gun.

El Khatib was shot in the back as he ran from his assailant. He then called for help with his cell phone.

Police have arrested and charged Edward Christopher Snowshoe of Fort McPherson with armed robbery and wearing a disguise while committing an offense.

Snowshoe is in Inuvik's holding cells pending a court date of March 26.

Mohammed Alley has been driving his taxi in town for 14 years.

He said the shooting was an isolated incident and he still treats his customers with the same respect.

"The community is not to blame for this," said Alley.

"There are crazy people wherever you go in the world."

Alley said he is always aware of whom he allows in his cab.

"I won't change the way I act, or carry a weapon or a gun," said Alley.

People have become violent before, the RCMP have always dealt with them quickly."

Alley said he does not think that increasing taxi security is something that should be looked at.

"I don't see a need for things like barricades or glass that separate the driver from the passenger," said Alley.

"One problem like this will not change things overnight."

He said he is happy to be working in Inuvik, where he feels safe driving his cab.

"Inuvik is a good place," said Alley. There are other cities and places that have more taxi problems than a single shooting."

Alley said he had talked to other drivers, who are not concerned for their safety.

"I don't think the other drivers are worried," he said.

"One person made a mistake. The whole town shouldn't be blamed."

Town cab livery licence holder Ayman El Shafei said he wants to prevent other incidents from occurring and wants the safest environments for his drivers. El Shafei is preparing letters to taxi companies in Edmonton, to find out how he can change the bylaw that states that taxi drivers need their seat belts.

"I don't think our drivers should wear their seat-belts, it makes it easy for someone to attempt to choke them for their money," said El Shafei.

"Cab drivers carry cash, there's no secret there. It would be too easy for someone to reach around and choke the driver with the seat-belt."

Inuvik Mayor Derek Lindsay said there is nothing the town can do to amend the taxi bylaw, because seat-belts are a matter for the Department of Motor Vehicles.

"If they don't want to wear their seatbelts they can bring it up with transportation and motor vehicles," said Lindsay.

"The cab company wants us to look at the bylaw, but there is nothing we can do."

Lindsay said he can relate with their concern, but the council is superseded by the Motor Vehicles Act.

- with files from Philippe Morin