Son of slain cab driver delivers statement during sentencing hearing
BOSTON, May 23, 2025 – The son of a cab driver fatally shot in 2019 described his father as a “hardworking, devoted, loving dad” in a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing of the man convicted of the murder, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
PHILLIP FOY, 40, was convicted by a Suffolk County jury Monday of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Luckinson Oruma, 60, on June 4, 2019.
Judge Anthony Campo imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Oruma, who was working as a taxicab driver in Boston on the day of his murder, had parked his cab in front of the Colonnade Hotel on Huntington Avenue. Foy entered the cab and requested a ride to Mansfield. Oruma declined the fare. According to witnesses, Foy exited, opened the driver’s side door, and assaulted Oruma. At some point during the assault, Foy pulled out a firearm and shot Oruma. Oruma fell to the ground. Foy stood over Oruma and fired directly at him. Foy then entered the cab, drove down Huntington Ave., turned onto Ring Road and parked. He emptied and discarded the firearm and magazine, removed his shoes, and sat in front of a nearby Starbucks.
When police arrived, Foy grabbed a pedestrian and attempted to shield himself. Police diffused the situation and arrested Foy. Foy confessed to shooting Oruma but claimed it was in self-defense.
Several of Oruma’s family members were present in court at the sentencing hearing. His son delivered an impact statement, describing his father as a “hardworking, devoted, loving dad,” and that “he was doing what he always did, working hard to provide,” sharing that his father put five kids through college, all while driving a cab.
“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, and I’m very grateful that the jury held him accountable for his devastating actions,” Hayden said Monday after the verdict.
Assistant District Attorney John Verner prosecuted the case. Jillian Rose is the assigned victim witness advocate.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications