In a shocking incident that unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday, a gunman commandeered a Los Angeles Metro bus, leading to the death of a passenger and a high-stakes police pursuit that culminated in a tense standoff in downtown LA.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Lamont Campbell, was apprehended by SWAT officers following a chase that lasted over an hour. Campbell is currently being held on suspicion of murder with a bail set at $2 million.
According to American Military News, the incident began when Campbell boarded the bus in Vermont Knolls, South Los Angeles. The bus was then followed by a fleet of police vehicles as it made its way downtown. The pursuit ended when police used spike strips to deflate the bus's tires, bringing it to a halt. A SWAT team then stormed the bus using flash grenades, leading to Campbell's arrest.
The hijacking has prompted city leaders to acknowledge the challenges they face in ensuring the safety of passengers on Los Angeles' public transit systems. This incident comes just four months after Mayor Karen Bass called for enhanced security on transit lines in response to a series of violent incidents. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Bass reiterated her commitment to public safety, stating, "I want to say unequivocally that what happened this morning will not be tolerated. It has no place in Los Angeles and the individual who was arrested must be held fully accountable. Every Angeleno has the right to go about their lives safely, especially on our public transportation system."
The standoff came to an end near Alameda and Sixth streets, where SWAT teams had surrounded the bus. Video footage from the scene showed the driver sitting motionless with his hands raised. Following a series of small explosions from flash bangs deployed by police, officers with shields stormed the bus. One passenger escaped through a window, and the bus driver climbed out another and ran to safety behind an armored vehicle.
Janice Hahn, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair, referred to the incident as a "real-life nightmare" during Wednesday's news conference. She praised the bus driver's actions, stating, "I want to recognize that Metro bus driver whose actions last night were nothing short of heroic. With a gunman on board and his life on the line, he had the composure and the wherewithal to push the silent alarm, alerting both the Metro operation center and law enforcement.
The pursuit began after the gunman boarded the bus, engaged in an argument with the driver, and shot a passenger as the other riders fled. One of the fleeing passengers was injured after running into oncoming traffic. Four individuals remained on board: the bus driver, the gunman, and two passengers. As 911 calls began to flood in, the bus driver activated the panic button inside the vehicle, alerting police and triggering the emergency message on the light displays on the outside of the bus.
The bus was equipped with a barrier that allowed the driver to maintain control of the vehicle, a safety measure that officials believe likely helped prevent further tragedy. These barriers are expected to be installed on all Metro buses by the end of the year.
When police were finally able to board the bus, they found one passenger suffering from multiple gunshot wounds who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The bus driver and a second passenger were treated by paramedics at the scene and released, and Campbell was taken into custody.
The L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority expressed gratitude for the LAPD's swift action and relief that the operator was unharmed. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, has worked for Metro for over a decade. The bus he was operating typically services Eagle Rock, Highland Park, and downtown Los Angeles to South L.A.
County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who also sits on the Metro board, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the hijacking. Metro has offered mental health services to the driver and the passengers who were on the bus.
This incident is one of many violent altercations that have occurred on buses, trains, and Metro properties this year. In March, a man hijacked a Metro bus and threatened the driver with a gun that turned out to be fake. The bus crashed into several parked cars and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel downtown.
In April, a woman was fatally stabbed on the subway as she returned home from her night shift job, and a passenger captured a bus driver on video pleading for help after being stabbed.
"Metro is a part of our community," Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said during Wednesdays news conference. "Its an essential part of the daily lives of millions of Angelenos, and its also a reflection of the community, and that includes the criminal activity and the weapons that flow onto our buses from our community streets.
The Metro board's latest report on crimes across the system indicates that crimes against persons are up this year through July compared to 2023. Experts note that crimes in the system are generally underreported, which has put some riders on edge.
Sarah Smith, a 39-year-old mother who uses the bus almost daily, expressed her concerns, saying, "I feel relatively safe, but added that theres sometimes weird energies on the bus. One day, a man had followed her around on the bus and was shouting, Im going to sock you! Despite these concerns, Smith, like many others, continues to use public transit due to a lack of alternatives.
This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures on public transit systems, not just in Los Angeles, but across the nation. As city leaders grapple with the challenges of ensuring public safety, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect the rights of every citizen to go about their lives safely, especially on public transportation systems.
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