Man charged with killing Metro passenger in bus hijacking appears in court
- Lamont Campbell, 51, faces multiple felony charges including murder and carjacking linked to the hijacking of a bus in Los Angeles on September 25, 2024.
- During the hijacking, he shot Anthony Rivera, a 48-year-old Metro passenger, before threatening the bus driver and holding passengers hostage.
- If convicted, Campbell could face a maximum sentence of 90 years to life, highlighting growing concerns over safety on public transportation.
On September 25, 2024, a violent incident unfolded in Los Angeles as Lamont Campbell, aged 51, hijacked a Metro bus. This unprecedented event began when Campbell, armed with a firearm, boarded the bus at Figueroa Street and Vernon Avenue. Allegedly, he fired multiple shots at Anthony Rivera, a 48-year-old passenger who was simply returning home from work after a shift at Dodger Stadium. The tragic event ended with Rivera suffering fatal injuries, drawing significant public attention. During the course of the hijacking, Campbell reportedly held the bus driver and two passengers hostage for about an hour, during which he threatened their lives. The driver used a panic button to signal for help, prompting a rapid police response. Authorities eventually engaged in a standoff with Campbell, culminating in the use of spike strips to disable the vehicle and special tactical measures to take him into custody. As a result of this violent crime, Campbell was charged with murder, carjacking, and kidnapping, among other felonies. His bail has been set at an astonishing $5,575,000. If convicted of all charges, he faces a potential sentence of up to 90 years to life in prison. This incident has raised serious concerns about safety on public transportation in Los Angeles, particularly in light of several similar occurrences earlier in the year, prompting calls for enhanced security measures to protect passengers and staff.