Hostage situation unfolds in Los Angeles as police engage in a standoff with a hijacked bus, with the driver reportedly being held inside.
Footage from the scene reveals that at least one person, the bus driver, is being held hostage.
Bus driver escapes hostage situation in Los Angeles; suspect’s status remains unclear.
A passenger died after someone with a gun hijacked a bus in Los Angeles, leading to a police chase through the city that lasted for an hour.
The driver and two passengers were on the bus when the hijacking began. They were held hostage during the terrifying chase.
Los Angeles Police got radio calls about the incident on a bus near Manchester and Figueroa at around 12:45 am. A passenger took out a gun, and the bus driver pressed the panic button. This caused a sign on the back of the bus to flash, saying: “Emergency. Call 911.”
A video from the scene captures LAPD officers in a slow-speed chase of a bus, where the driver was being held hostage by an armed man. Investigators reported that some passengers managed to exit the bus during the pursuit.
After several spike strips were used, the bus finally stopped on Alameda Street, between 6th and 7th streets. Inside the bus were the suspect, the driver, and two passengers.
SWAT teams used flashbangs to try to make the suspect surrender. During this time, the bus driver was safely pulled out.
As the hostage situation continued, the passenger who was shot was taken to a hospital but sadly was pronounced dead.
A witness said the bus driver stayed calm throughout the whole situation.
The suspect was eventually arrested at the scene, but his name has not been released, and the motive for the hijacking is still unknown.
“Metro is thankful for the LAPD’s quick response to the bus hijacking this morning and is relieved that the driver was not harmed. We are providing support to the driver,” Metro said in a statement. “The investigation is still ongoing and is being handled by the LAPD.”
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