L.A. Bus Hijacking Ends in Tragedy

A gunman hijacked a Los Angeles city bus early Wednesday, leading to a slow police chase that ended in downtown. One passenger was killed, and the suspect was arrested. The bus driver and another passenger were unharmed. The incident is part of rising violence on the L.A. transit system.

A gunman hijacked a city bus in Los Angeles early Wednesday, resulting in a tragic police chase that ended downtown with one passenger dead.

The armed suspect boarded the Metro bus around 1 a.m. in South Los Angeles, taking the driver and two passengers hostage, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers pursued the bus for an hour as it was driven by the driver, who was under gunpoint.

Spike strips eventually punctured a tire, bringing the bus to a stop after traveling more than 7 miles. The suspect surrendered, and the bus driver escaped through a window. One passenger was found with gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Another passenger was unharmed. The incident highlights escalating violence in L.A.'s transit system, prompting Mayor Karen Bass to call for increased security measures in May.

(With inputs from agencies.)