According to an account provided by Mr. Sharif through the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, Mr. Enright started out asking Mr. Sharif friendly questions like how long he has been in the country, if he was Muslim and if he was observing fast during Ramadan. Mr. Enright became silent for a few minutes and "then suddenly started cursing and screaming" before the stabbing, the statement says.
At first the officer thought Mr. Enright had been hit by a car, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. But after speaking with Mr. Sharif, police arrested Mr. Enright. Mr. Enright was so intoxicated that he was taken to Bellevue for evaluation and monitoring, police said.