An alarming incident unfolded in Los Angeles early Wednesday when a suspect shot a passenger on an MTA bus before hijacking the vehicle and leading police on a dramatic chase. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the event began around 12:45 a.m. when authorities received a 911 call reporting a shooting and bus hijacking at Figaro Street and Manchester Avenue.
Reports indicate that the suspect fired at least one shot before taking control of the bus and driving northbound. The LAPD's SWAT team intervened and successfully stopped the bus at approximately 2:05 a.m. near South Alameda Street and 6th Street, about six miles from the initial hijacking location.
Images circulating online and live streams from local news sources captured the intense scene, showing an MTA bus halted on the roadside with an armored police vehicle positioned in front of it, alongside an armed SWAT team presence.
Following the intervention, the suspect was apprehended, and the injured victim was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The status of any other passengers who may have been on the bus during the incident remains unclear at this time.
As authorities continue their investigation, the motive behind the shooting and subsequent hijacking remains unknown. The LAPD is working diligently to gather more information and ensure the safety and well-being of all involved in this unsettling event.