Afghan Refugee Who Helped U.S. in War Shot Dead During Robbery

An Afghan refugee has been shot and killed during an armed robbery, with police still searching for the gunman.

The robbery took place at around 5 a.m. on November 28 in San Francisco. Police have identified the victim as 31-year-old Uber driver Ahmad Fawad Yusufi.

Officers found Yusufi suffering from a fatal gunshot wound while parked on Potrero Avenue near Cesar Chavez Street.

Yusufi had previously worked with the U.S military during the Afghanistan war as a translator and was granted special visa status in 2018. He moved to the U.S with his wife and three children, who were also granted special immigration visas.

Yusufi's brother, Mohammad Dawood Mommand, questioned how this could have happened after he survived war in Afghanistan.

He said that Yusufi and his friend were working as Uber and Lyft drivers when a gunman demanded their wallets. Yusufi was shot because he was shaking during the robbery, according to his brother.

Speaking to KRON4 News, he said: "They say give the wallet, everything. His friend gives everything, the wallet, phone. My brother was behind the wheel.

"When he shake his body to give the wallet, they shoot him exactly in the heart, then they escaped."

Friends and family have remembered Yusufi as a kind man who would help anyone, especially other members of the Afghan refugee community.

No arrests have yet been made and the San Francisco Police has asked for anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact them.

Newsweek has contacted the San Francisco Police Department for comment.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for his family. There is also a message to donors on the page.

It reads: "Please join us in helping the loving family of Ahmad Fawad. While working in San Francisco, Ahmad was shot and killed during a botched armed robbery.

"Ahmad's family is in desperate need of our financial support since he was the sole provider for his family.

"Ahmad's family has no one available to provide them with support. This family is desperately in need of immediate financial support.

"Ahmad's family has been deeply affected by this incident. Ahmad was the father of 3 children, the youngest is 7 months old and the eldest is 10 years. Please help this beloved family in this difficult time.

"Ahmad Fawad came to the United States on SIV Cases in 2017 and worked for many years with the U.S Army in Afghanistan. Thank you in advance."

As of Wednesday, the GoFundMe page has raised $34,102 of its $100,00 goal after donations from a total of 228 people.

 Ahmad Fawad Yusufi
Image of Ahmad Fawad Yusufi, who was shot and killed in an armed robbery. Police are still searching for the gunman. Family handout via WBTV

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Gerrard Kaonga is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter and is based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on U.S. ... Read more

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