A Los Angeles bus hijacking early Wednesday morning left one person dead and several questions still unanswered.
At a Glance
- Hijacker takes control of a Metro bus, holds driver and passengers hostage.
- One passenger killed from multiple gunshot wounds.
- Incident began at 12:45 a.m., ended after one-hour police pursuit.
- Suspect’s motives under investigation; potential additional charges unknown.
Grim Details of the Hijacking
In the early hours near Manchester Boulevard and Figueroa Street, the hijacker commandeered an MTA bus on its route, holding the driver and passengers against their will. The chaos began around 12:45 a.m. and quickly escalated as the hijacked bus moved slowly through the streets of Los Angeles.
According to reports, the driver managed to trigger an alert, displaying “911 Call Police” on the bus’s external panels. Officers spotted the slow-moving bus at 117th and Figueroa but were unable to bring it to a halt immediately. Multiple spike strips were deployed to stop the bus near 6th and Alameda streets.
Tragic Outcome
Officers deployed flash-bang devices to subdue the hijacker during a tense standoff. Unfortunately, one passenger was fatally shot by the hijacker early in the incident and succumbed to their injuries later at a hospital. Another passenger and the driver, although shaken, emerged physically unscathed.
“Metro is grateful for the LAPD’s swift action regarding this morning’s bus hijacking incident and is grateful the operator was unharmed,” Metro spokesman Jose Ubaldo stated. “Metro is providing the operator with the support he needs. This is still an active investigation being led by the LAPD.”
Witnesses compared the chase to scenes from the movie “Speed,” recounting the frantic attempts by authorities to stop the bus and save the hostages. “Reports indicate a victim on the bus may have been driving the vehicle under the hijacker’s direction at gunpoint,” said a law enforcement officer.
Ongoing Investigation
LAPD officials are leading an intense investigation into the motive behind this act of violence. The identity of the hijacker remains undisclosed, but early reports suggest a possible link to an earlier shooting. The suspect surrendered immediately once authorities cornered the bus, and they are now in police custody.
“The third passenger on the bus expired from complications from the gunshot wounds,” a spokesperson said, confirming the tragedy of the situation. Investigators are piecing together events to understand the motive behind the attack.
Authorities are also looking into the broader implications of this incident, which comes amidst a string of violent events on Los Angeles County’s public transportation systems. Deputy Chief Donald Graham noted that while the surviving hostages were physically unharmed, the psychological trauma they endured will require ongoing support.
Sources:
- 1 dead, 1 in custody on suspicion of hijacking Metro bus in South Los Angeles
- Passenger killed in hijacking, pursuit of MTA bus in Los Angeles
