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A 64-year-old taxi driver was dragged out of his car and beaten to death by a customer in London, Ont., on Saturday.

Vijay Bhatia was a grandfather and long-time driver, well-known among the city’s cabbies. He died when he was pulled from his cab early Saturday and attacked in the parking lot of a Mac’s convenience store, London police said.

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“I am so upset, he was in the business a long, long time,” said Jason Kukurudziak, owner of Blue and White taxi. “It is tragic, just tragic. It is senseless.”

London police said officers responding to a report of an assault found Bhatia in the parking lot. He did not have any vital signs and was taken to hospital.

It is tragic, just tragic. It is senseless

Bhatia was assaulted by one of two passengers in his cab, police said. Police took the passengers into custody.

Cody Perkin, 23, of London, is charged with one count of second-degree murder. He is also charged with assault and uttering threats in relation to another person, who sustained minor injuries not requiring medical treatment, police said. Perkin has been remanded into custody.