Los Angeles bus hijacked after shooting, leads to police chase

In the early hours of Wednesday, a violent incident occurred on a Los Angeles MTA bus when a suspect shot a passenger, leading to a hijacking. The shooting took place around 12:45 a.m. at the intersection of Figaro Street and Manchester Avenue, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The suspect then commandeered the bus and drove northbound, initiating a lengthy police pursuit that lasted over an hour. The Los Angeles Police Department's SWAT team eventually intercepted the bus at approximately 2:05 a.m. near South Alameda Street and 6th Street, roughly six miles from the initial crime scene. To bring the situation under control, police deployed spike strips, which successfully slowed the bus down. Following this, the suspect barricaded himself inside the vehicle, creating a tense standoff with law enforcement. Images and live coverage from local news outlets depicted the scene, showcasing an MTA bus halted on the roadside, flanked by an armored police vehicle and a heavily armed SWAT team. The injured passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were reported to be in critical condition. The number of other passengers on the bus at the time of the incident remains unclear. As of now, the motive behind the shooting has not been established, and the investigation is ongoing. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of public transportation safety and the challenges faced by law enforcement in responding to such emergencies.