A 51-year-old man has been taken into custody after a passenger was fatally shot and a Los Angeles Metro bus hijacked, leading to an hour-long police pursuit early Wednesday morning, September 25, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The violent incident, which unfolded in South Los Angeles, ended with the suspect’s arrest following a tense standoff with the LAPD SWAT team.
Police say the ordeal began around 12:45 a.m. at the intersection of Figueroa Street and Manchester Avenue. The suspect, identified as Lamont Campbell, allegedly boarded the Metro bus and began arguing with the driver.
During the altercation, Campbell shot a 48-year-old male passenger, whose identity has not yet been released by authorities. Following the shooting, other passengers were able to escape the bus, but Campbell took control of the vehicle, holding the driver at gunpoint.
The driver, who was unharmed, activated the bus’ silent alarm, notifying authorities. Police officers responded quickly to the scene, but the bus had already begun moving as Campbell forced the driver to continue northbound, leading to a slow-speed pursuit through several streets in Los Angeles. The LAPD’s SWAT team was called in, and officers deployed spike strips to slow down the hijacked bus.
At around 2:05 a.m., the bus was brought to a stop near South Alameda Street and 6th Street, about six miles from where the initial hijacking occurred. Police reported that after the bus stopped, Campbell barricaded himself inside, triggering a standoff with law enforcement. SWAT officers eventually deployed flash-bang devices to incapacitate Campbell, allowing them to take him into custody without further incident.
The driver and another passenger who had remained on the bus were treated on-site by paramedics and released without injuries.
The victim of the shooting, a 48-year-old Hispanic man from Los Angeles, was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting, but the investigation is ongoing, according to local authorities.
This is the latest in a series of violent incidents on the city’s public transit system. Metro has been grappling with an increase in violent crimes this year, including assaults and homicides on both buses and trains. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins acknowledged the growing problem, stating that the authorities are aware that the system reflects the broader issues of violence in the community, and they are working tirelessly to improve safety for all riders.
Police noted that more than a dozen violent incidents have occurred on Los Angeles’ public transit system in 2024 alone, causing increased concern among commuters. Many residents have expressed fears about using the city’s buses and trains, though public transit remains the only option for many in the sprawling metropolitan area.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the incident during a press conference later in the day, condemning the violence and promising further measures to ensure the safety of public transit users.
Lamont Campbell, the suspect in the hijacking, is now facing a murder charge and is being held on $2 million bail, according to police. Investigators are continuing to search for a motive behind the shooting and hijacking. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
This incident has prompted renewed calls for stricter security measures on Los Angeles’s public transportation system, with Metro officials considering additional safety protocols, such as increased surveillance and the presence of more transit security officers. However, the broader issue of crime in the city remains a challenge for officials as they strive to balance safety with expanding the transit network ahead of the 2028 Olympics.