A man suspected of fatally shooting a bus passenger and hijacking a bus in Los Angeles before leading police on an hour-long chase has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder and kidnapping. On September 25, police found a victim with gunshot wounds on the Metro bus, who later died at a local hospital, according to LAPD Deputy Chief Donald Graham. The bus driver and another passenger were rescued after police used spike strips to stop the bus, allowing a SWAT team to intervene.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Lamont Campbell, was arrested on the day of the incident, according to LAPD Assistant Chief Blake Chow. Campbell faces 12 felony counts, including murder, attempted murder, carjacking, kidnapping, and evading, as announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón on September 30. If convicted, Campbell could face more than 90 years to life in prison. He is set for arraignment on October 1.
The charges stem from the six individuals on the bus during the hijacking, including the driver, the gunshot victim (identified as 48-year-old Anthony Rivera), a woman who was robbed, and three other passengers. Campbell’s motive remains unclear, and it’s uncertain whether he has legal representation. CNN has reached out to the local public defender’s office for comment.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns on Los Angeles public transportation systems, where violence against bus operators has become a growing issue. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the bus driver and police for their quick response. In a statement, she expressed condolences to the family of the victim and emphasized the importance of enhancing safety measures on public transportation.
The bus hijacking is another instance of rising gun violence in public spaces across the U.S. The incident unfolded just after midnight when police received reports of a gunman on the bus, with an emergency panic button also alerting authorities. The bus, initially located in South Los Angeles, led police on a pursuit through downtown before being stopped near Skid Row. The bus driver maintained control of the vehicle as best he could, with police trailing the hijacked bus for over an hour.
The SWAT team rescued a passenger who had been barricaded in the back of the bus, unharmed but shaken. Police are investigating reports of a pedestrian being struck during the pursuit but have not confirmed if it is related to the hijacking. The bus driver, although shaken, was reported to be in relatively good spirits after the ordeal, according to Graham.
Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro, voiced frustration over safety concerns, noting that the bus driver stated he was just doing his job. However, Wiggins emphasized that handling situations like this should not be part of a bus operator’s duties.
Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn also expressed gratitude for the bus driver’s composure in activating a silent alarm, which alerted law enforcement to the situation. Hahn called for stronger measures to prevent weapons from being brought onto public buses and trains, noting that Metro is currently testing three weapons detection systems at Union Station.
The hijacking comes amid escalating violence against bus operators, leading Metro to approve over $5 million in emergency funding in April to retrofit buses with safety barriers. The bus involved in this incident had such a barrier, which officials credit for allowing the driver to signal for help. Mayor Bass emphasized that without the barrier, the driver might not have been able to alert authorities.
According to an April report, assaults on Metro bus operators have surged, with aggravated assaults increasing fourfold from 2019 to 2023, and battery incidents rising by 50%. The report underscored the urgent need for safety upgrades, with plans to install barriers on buses by the end of the year, prioritizing routes with the highest rates of operator assaults.
