A person is dead after one Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus was hijacked and the driver was forced to flee from police at gunpoint before authorities were able to finally arrest the suspect, according to authorities.
The incident began at about 12:45 a.m. when the Los Angeles Police Department received a radio call about a disturbance on a bus in the area of Manchester Street and Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles, Deputy Chief Donald Graham said in a briefing Wednesday morning.
Initial reports said there was a potential attack with a weapon before officers discovered the bus stopped at 117th Street and Figueroa Street.
But as the LAPD attempted to make contact with the people on the bus, it began to pull away from the responding officers. The situation led to an hourlong chase into downtown, officials said.
The bus eventually stopped at Alameda Street and 6th Street at approximately 2:10 a.m. after police deployed several spike strips and were able to puncture a tire on the right side of the vehicle.
A Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus was reportedly hijacked with the driver forced to drive at gunpoint before police could arrest the suspect on September 25, 2024.
KABC
Police said there were two passengers, the driver and the suspect on the bus.
A SWAT team was immediately called in to help with the hostage situation and was able to board the bus and rescue two people — the driver and a passenger, Graham said.
The suspect immediately surrendered and was arrested. But when police cleared the bus, the other passenger was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The driver and other passengers declined treatment, authorities said.
The investigation is currently open and ongoing.