Cabbie Scuffles With Armed Passenger Driver Believes Airport Attack May Be Linked To Burglary Case In Which He’s To Testify

Thu., April 27, 1995

Gita Sitaramiah Staff writer

A taxi driver wrestled a shotgun from a passenger he brought to Spokane International Airport early Wednesday from Post Falls.

As cabbie Gary Smith struggled with the man, the shotgun went off and the taxi ran into a pickup parked at the airport about 7 a.m., according to Smith and authorities. No one was hit by the shotgun blast.

The suspect, Allan M. Green, 19, Paradise, Calif., was caught by an offduty U.S. marshal who happened to be at the airport, said Spokane County sheriff’s Lt. David Wiyrick.

Green was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of robbery, assault, kidnapping and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. He was being held late Wednesday without bond and is expected to appear in court today, a jail official said.

Smith said he suspects the incident may be connected to a burglary case in Latah County, Idaho, in which he’s scheduled to testify as a prosecution witness against a family member.

Smith picked up the suspect at the Flying J truck stop in Post Falls.

“He was clean-cut, had a suit and tie on and all,” Smith said.

As they approached the airport, the man told Smith to keep his hands on the steering wheel and not turn his head.

The man also threatened the taxi driver by saying he knew Smith’s identity and then named some of Smith’s relatives.

Smith said he turned enough to see the gun. At the airport, Smith said he took his hands off the wheel and tried to grab the shotgun.That’s when the shotgun was fired and the collision occurred.

After the scuffle, Smith was taken to Deaconess Medical Center, where he received 10 stitches to his face.

Although Smith’s injuries were minor, the suspect may have caused the cabbie some long-term hardship.

“He put me out of business this morning,” Smith said, referring to his damaged cab.

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