Suspect arrested in Hollywood beating death of taxi driver, LAPD says

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A suspect who beat a taxi driver to death at a Hollywood gas station has been arrested, according to Los Angeles police.

Authorities said 34-year-old Najib Halibi was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities found taxi driver Asfawosen Alemseged unconscious in the parking lot of a 76 gas station near Beachwood Drive and Franklin Avenue at about 3:15 a.m. on Sunday.

MORE: Taxi driver beaten to death by passenger in Hollywood, LAPD says

Alemseged was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died, police said.

Investigators said it appeared Alemseged was first attacked over a fare dispute while he was inside the cab.

Detectives said the altercation then continued outside the vehicle.

The suspect was believed to be a passenger who was being dropped off near the gas station.

Halibi was booked for murder and his bail was set at $2 million.

In a statement, Yellow Cab said Alemseged worked for the company for 24 years and that he was well known in his native Ethiopian community as a singer, musician, writer and artist.