A day after a passenger was fatally shot aboard a hijacked Metro bus, the agency’s Board of Directors Thursday denounced the violence while trying to reassure riders they are doing everything in their power to enhance safety across the transit system.
“…I really wanted to thank the bus operator who navigated this nightmare with composure,” Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said. “The more we hear about this incident — that this gunman was onboard — and the driver had the composure, the mental clarity and such calmness to keep driving that bus for an hour without damaging other cars or hurting anybody else.”
Hahn repeated her previous calls for a system to prevent people from carrying weapons onto buses and trains. She emphasized that three weapons-detection systems are being tested at Union Station, and she hopes to expand their use throughout the transit system.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who is a Metro director, called for a report back on the latest data of these weapons-detection systems as soon as next month, with the goal of fast tracking the implementation of the technology.
The board also hopes to recognize the heroic acts of the bus operator at a future date.
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins noted the installation of security barriers on all buses are expected to be complete by the end of December. About 851 of a total 2,105 buses received the barriers, or about 40%, Wiggins added.
“The barrier protected the driver, and also let him keep control of the bus as opposed to the hijacker,” Hahn added.
Director and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis described the hijacking as an “anomaly,” and contended that the transit agency is “doing the right things to help provide prevention and safety.”
L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, also a Metro board member, outlined initiatives the agency has taken to improve public safety, such as investing in lighting, shading, personnel, among other things.
“We often talk about crime on the system, and the reality is that we do have millions of passengers a month,” Director and Inglewood Mayor James Butts said. “The amount of crime is de minimis compared to the numbers of people that ride the system. However, no one should ever get on a bus or train, and wonder if someone has a knife or a firearm. That is something we can 100% take care of.”
On Wednesday at around 12:45 a.m., officers responded to reports of a disturbance and possible assault with a deadly weapon on a bus near Manchester Avenue and Figueroa Street in South L.A. Police subsequently located the bus at 117th Street and Figueroa.
After a one-hour pursuit, involving SWAT officers, police were ultimately able to stop the bus at Alameda, just south of Sixth Street in downtown L.A., using multiple spike strips, according to Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Donald Graham.
Once the bus stopped, officers disabled it to prevent it from moving again, and SWAT officers used “distraction” techniques and boarded the bus, taking the suspect into custody.
A male passenger aboard the bus was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he died, Graham said.
The bus driver and another passenger, who had been hiding in the back of the bus, were also rescued.
LAPD Assistant Chief Blake Chow identified the suspect as Lamont Campbell, 51. He was booked on suspicion of murder, and was being held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.
The name of the man who died was not immediately released.