Former Afghan interpreter who moved to US after Taliban takeover shot dead in Washington, DC

An Afghan refugee who worked for most of his life as an interpreter for the US military in Afghanistan was killed by gunfire while he was out working as a ride-share driver in Washington, DC.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, was working at his job as a Lyft driver early Monday morning when he was shot dead in the US capital.

As of Saturday evening, the police were still searching for the suspects, four young men or boys, filmed on grainy surveillance video in the northeast area of the city. 

Ahmad Yar would often work 12-hour shifts to provide for his wife and four children, the youngest just 15 months old, his close friend Rahim Amini told WUSA9.

Ahmad Yar moved his family to Virginia after feeling unsafe in Philadelphia following a robbery at gunpoint, his friend Jeramie Malone told the outlet.

"I can't emphasize enough how he was always helping," Malone said. "Leaving the house was very dangerous for him, but he was always eager to help somebody else who is a good guy. His children were the most important thing to him, and he brought them here so he could be safe."

Ahmad Yar came to America in 2021 after the Afghan government fell to the Taliban following the withdrawal of US forces from the country.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Butler, who was with the US Army Special Forces, worked closely with Ahmad Yar for two of his deployments.  

"You just don't have words to describe how you feel about someone who had given so much to his country, not as a citizen, but then comes here and experiences some of the worst behavior our country has to offer," Butler told WUSA9.

"The irony is really thick here."