A taxi driver died after he was physically assaulted by an unidentified man early Sunday at a gas station in Hollywood.

A taxi driver was killed early Sunday at a gas station on Franklin Avenue. Police hope someone will come forward with information. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Detectives believe the driver and the suspect argued over money and a fight ensued. The suspect struck the taxi driver, who fell and may have hit his head on the pavement, said Lt. John Radtke, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Unit. Authorities were still awaiting results of an autopsy on Wednesday, which will determine the exact cause of the victim’s death.

A witness reported an assault in progress at approximately 3 a.m. at a 76 gas station at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Beachwood Drive. When officers arrived, paramedics were at the scene treating the unconscious victim. He was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

The victim was identified as Asifawosen Alemseged, 47, of Los Angeles. Investigators are in the process of determining where Alemseged was coming from prior to stopping at the gas station, Radtke said. Detectives are also working on the investigation with the victim’s employer, Yellow Cab Company.

Investigators are using witness statements and security camera footage to piece together the circumstances.

“It’s unclear whether it was a fare or maybe somebody negotiating for a fare who was going somewhere,” Radtke said. “It looks like there was some type of assault inside the vehicle. It’s clear the suspect was trying to take money from the victim. The victim gets out, is further assaulted and fell to the ground. The suspect hit him three times while he was on the ground.”

The suspect was last seen walking east on Franklin Avenue. He is described as white or of Middle Eastern descent, approximately 35 to 40 years old, 5-feet-8-inches tall and was wearing a blue shirt.  Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call West Bureau Homicide Unit detectives at (213)382-9470.