Cab Driver Attacked and Stabbed By Would-be Passenger

A Shreveport cab driver was attacked and stabbed by a would-be passenger. It happened shortly after noon Saturday, when Victoria Anderson picked up an unidentified black man at the Sams Town Casino. They were headed to the Queensborough neighborhood when the Anderson says the man suddenly put her in a choke hold. "Ive been robbed before, but never like this. I never thought Id get hurt," said Anderson. The cab driver says she convinced the man to ease up on the choke hold, so she could reach for money hidden in a pouch. But the pouch actually contained a knife. Victoria fought back slashing her attacker in the face. A struggle ensued and the man stabbed Victoria several times. Anderson has been driving a Yellow Checker Cab for five years. The circumstances surrounding her robbery have other drivers on edge. "By picking him up at the casino, you would automatically think that would be an okay fare... especially in broad daylight," said Manager Ron Johnson. Since the attack, Johnson says the company has heightened driver safety procedures. "We have 2-way radios in all the cabs... If the driver doesnt feel safe, we have a special code they can use to let us and other drivers know if they pick up someone and theyre not safe." Johnson also says cab drivers are allowed to refuse service to anyone. And they are allowed to carry a weapon for extra protection. The robbery suspect is still on the loose. Hes described as a young black man in his early to mid-20s, about 57, with a knife wound on his face. The man was last seen wearing a gray shirt. If you have any information, please contact Shreveport Police.