A Boston man has been found guilty of killing a taxi driver nearly six years ago in a tragic incident that shook the local community.
Phillip Foy, 40, was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Luckinson Oruma, which occurred on June 4, 2019. The verdict means Foy will face a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Oruma, 60, a Dorchester resident and father of five, was remembered by his family and coworkers as a hardworking man who simply wanted to do his job safely. His death deeply affected not only those close to him but also the wider community.
District Attorney Kevin Hayden expressed his sorrow over the loss and gratitude for the jury’s decision, saying, “The shooting death of Luckinson Oruma was shattering not just for his family and friends, but for anyone who goes to work each day expecting, as they should, to be in a safe environment. This defendant turned Mr. Oruma’s environment into something tragically different.”
On the day of the shooting, Oruma was parked in front of the Colonnade Hotel in Boston when Foy entered his cab and requested a ride to Mansfield. When Oruma declined, Foy became violent—opening the taxi door, attacking Oruma, and then shooting him multiple times. Prosecutors detailed that Foy continued to fire even after Oruma had fallen to the ground beneath him.
Following the shooting, Foy drove the taxi a short distance down Huntington Avenue before abandoning the vehicle. He ditched the gun and sat shoeless outside a nearby Starbucks. When police arrived, Foy tried to shield himself by grabbing a passerby but was quickly taken into custody. He later claimed self-defense, a claim the jury rejected.
The scene that day was chaotic and heartbreaking. A transplant surgeon, who witnessed the aftermath, described trying to save Oruma’s life. “I ripped my shirt off and then we held pressure on his neck to try and control the bleeding,” he recalled. Despite their efforts, Oruma survived only minutes before losing his pulse.
Foy is scheduled to return to court this Friday for sentencing, where he will learn the consequences of his actions.
This case serves as a solemn reminder of the dangers some workers face daily and the importance of holding those who commit violent crimes accountable.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
