A San Francisco taxi driver was shot in the back early this morning in the city's Sunset District, according to police.

The driver, who is expected to recover, was shot about 4:54 a.m. near 23rd Avenue and Lincoln Way, police reported. The driver then drove about two blocks where he met police and paramedics who transported him to San Francisco General Hospital, police said.

It was unclear if the driver was shot from inside the taxi.

San Francisco's Town Taxi company identified the driver as Hariqbal Singh.

"We don't know if it was a passenger who shot him or if the shooter was someone walking in the street," said Town Taxi dispatcher Fadiano Michels. "We know he was on his way to that area to pick up a call and we think he had a passenger at the time. We're just not sure right now."

Singh is expected to be released from the hospital today, Michels confirmed. [Link]