Uber driver who fled Iraq for US narrowly escapes shooting just blocks from White House

A man who fled Iraq for the safety of the United States was nearly gunned down in the streets of Washington, DC last Friday. Omar Al-Furaiji was driving for Uber when another vehicle pulled up and shots rang out.

Al-Furaiji and his passengers got caught in the crossfire, and while bullets broke through the windshield, nobody inside was killed. A man on the street was struck in the back, though his condition is unknown.

According to Fox5, the incident took place at 11:59 pm Friday night behind the Cathedral of St. Matthew near Connecticut Avenue, around 6 blocks north of the White House. Al-Furaiji and his two passengers had pulled into an alley when all of a sudden a lineup of vehicles passed to his right. A silver SUV then pulled up and one of the occupants began shooting.

In an interview with the outlet, Al-Furaiji explained that three of the bullets had pierced the windshield and sailed into the vehicle, with one narrowly missing his head. Six shots were fired in total.

Al-Furaiji, who was employed in Iraq's theatre industry, said of the experience that it was "not even [like a] movie." The father of two was left with injuries to his head and arms from "exploding glass." Doctors removed fifteen pieces of glass were removed from his skin, though he says he keeps finding more.

"I just thanks God to survive, because you know it was not easy," he said. "When I saw the video after, I keep looking at myself, my hand ... just try to believe I'm alive. For some reason God saved me."

Al-Furaiji told Fox5 that he has not yet returned to work, due to both the damage done to his vehicle, and the trauma inflicted upon him by the incident.

Police have been on the hunt for the silver SUV, though as of Thursday no suspects have been arrested.