Muskogee taxi cab driver shot

A Muskogee cab driver fights for his life. 38-year-old Rob Lawson was shot in the head Sunday night by a man he had picked up at an apartment complex. <br/><br/>Muskogee Police caught the suspect and

Monday, August 1st 2005, 1:03 pm

By: News On 6

A Muskogee cab driver fights for his life. 38-year-old Rob Lawson was shot in the head Sunday night by a man he had picked up at an apartment complex.

Muskogee Police caught the suspect and say he admitted robbing and shooting the cab driver. News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says crime scene photos show the van Rob Lawson was driving for the Mi Ride Taxi Company when the shooting happened.

Police say he picked up 19-year-old Jason Jackson and drove him across town. They say the two men exchanged words when it looked like Jackson didn't have money for the fare. They say Jackson grabbed Lawson's money bag and shot him in the head.

Lawson's co-workers are worried sick about him. Robâ€™s boss, Patrick Baker: "Everybody's been asking about him. His family just wants to keep everything in the family right now." Jackson's own actions helped lead police right to his front door.

Muskogee Police were working the shooting scene when the suspect called another cab company and asked for a ride. That's when police got their lucky break. That cab company thought the man sounded suspicious and called Muskogee Police. Officers surrounded the house, went inside and got Jackson, plus some damaging evidence. Muskogee Police Sgt Greg Matthews: "We recovered a pistol with blood on it, money with blood on it and a notebook."

Lawsonâ€™s family has been by his side in the hospital, hoping for the best. He served in the military for eight years, was a former Webber's Falls police officer and is father to three children. Rob Lawson is in critical condition in the Muskogee hospitalâ€™s intensive care unit. His family says its touch and go, but they're hoping for the best.

An account has been opened in Robert Lawson's name at First National Bank of Muskogee.