The family of a Dorchester taxi driver is devastated by the senseless slaying of the father of five who would often get up before dawn to help put all his kids through UMass Boston.

Luckinson Oruma, 60, was killed Tuesday morning when police said a Rhode Island man shot him multiple times in the Bay Bay then carjacked his taxi only to be captured nearby.

Phillip Foy, 34, of Pawtucket, R.I., is set to be arraigned Wednesday in Boston Municipal Court for the murder near the Prudential Center at about 11 a.m.

BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: Boston Police investigate a homicide on Huntington Ave across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: Pedestrians watch as Boston Police investigate a homicide on Huntington Ave across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: District Attorney Rachael Rollins and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross are seen on Huntington Avenue as police investigate a homicide across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: Boston Police investigate a homicide on Huntington Ave across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: District Attorney Rachael Rollins and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross are seen on Huntington Avenue as police investigate a homicide across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: Mayor Martin Walsh, BPD Commissioner William Gross and DA Rachael Rollins hold a press conference as police investigate a homicide on Huntington Ave across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)



BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: District Attorney Rachael Rollins is seen on Huntington Avenue as police investigate a homicide across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)

BOSTON, MA - June 04, 2019: Boston Police Commissioner William Gross arrives on scene as police investigate a homicide on Huntington Ave across from the Prudential Center on June 04, 2019 (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/ Media News Group/Boston Herald)

“It’s so sad this had to happen to him. He was such a hardworking man. He put all of us through college. We all went to UMass Boston,” the victim’s 28-year-old son, Jeffrey Oruma, told the Herald. “He always told me to work hard for the things you want and be kind to people.

“He was a great man,” the son added. “He had four boys and one girl. He brought our mom over from Nigeria — all from driving a taxi.”

The devoted dad was on the job near the Colonnade Hotel when witnesses said gunshots sent people running for cover on Huntington Avenue.

Joe Litvack, treasurer of the Independent Taxi Operators Association, said the victim was a good guy.

“It’s just a terrible tragedy to go out to work and not come home,” Litvack said. “We don’t have any details other than the poor guy isn’t coming home.”

The shooting shut down the Copley Square area to traffic for hours as police worked the scene. Police Commissioner William Gross said the dad was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“It’s unfortunate this occurred at midday in our city,” Gross said. “I’d like to thank witnesses who came forward and everyone who called 911.”

Foy was caught by police on Ring Road just minutes after the shooting, police said. He fled the scene in a taxi and was found in that taxi, police added. A weapon was also recovered.

The shooting occurred at 10:58 a.m. in front of the Colonnade Hotel next to the MBTA Prudential Station, Gross said.

Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins praised the “excellent” police work and also people who called in.

Mayor Martin Walsh also condemned the daylight attack and praised the quick work by police.

“This is something we don’t see in Boston every day. It’s horrible and it’s sad,” Walsh said.

Ken Smith, 57, of Dorchester told the Herald he was walking back from the nearby 7-Eleven when the shooting started and described the scene as scary and chaotic.

“I was walking when the shots started to ring out and I started to turn around and a gentleman … started shouting, ‘He’s got a gun, he’s got a gun!’ … A bunch of us just ran for the revolving doors to get into the (Prudential) mall,” Smith said, describing the gunfire as a popping sound.

He said he remembered hearing about five shots.

“When we got into the mall we were trying to stop people from leaving because at that point you don’t know if it is random or they are trying to shoot everyone,” Smith said. “I have never seen anything like it, in broad daylight and this is a good and busy area. At that time, it is just crazy.”

Steve Mantelli said he was near Saks 5th Avenue on Ring Road as police apprehended the suspect. A pair of sneakers and a gun were in the road as the man was put into a prisoner transport van.

“When you live in the city not so much is crazy anymore,” he added, “but I live around here and it isn’t pleasant to know there was a shooting in your neighborhood.”

Faith Ninivaggi contributed to this report.