Two individuals lost their lives early Sunday morning after being shot inside a Miami-Dade Transit bus, allegedly by the driver, following a heated argument.
According to Miami Gardens police, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on March 30. A dispute broke out between the bus driver and passengers, escalating to the point where the driver allegedly drew a firearm and opened fire inside the vehicle.
Emergency responders rushed the two critically wounded passengers to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, both succumbed to their injuries, authorities confirmed during a press conference.
Eyewitnesses recalled hearing the confrontation before the gunfire erupted. Guilleume Lageur, who works near the scene, expressed his shock. “I never knew bus drivers could carry a gun,” he told WSVN.
Another local resident, identified as Wave God, said he was returning from a store when he heard six gunshots. “They were probably just trying to get to their next destination, and somebody decided to take their life. That’s not even fair,” he stated.
The Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) clarified that bus drivers are strictly prohibited from carrying firearms while on duty. In a statement to the Miami Herald, a spokesperson emphasized that weapons are not permitted for self-defense purposes.
“This morning, an incident aboard a Metrobus remains under investigation, and the Department of Transportation and Public Works is fully cooperating with law enforcement,” the statement read.
Local officials have expressed deep concern over the tragic event. County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who chairs the Commission’s transportation committee, described the loss of lives as heartbreaking.
“This is another example of why people shouldn’t have guns,” Higgins stated in a message to the Miami Herald. “Two people would still be alive today if it had been a shouting match instead of a shooting match.”
The shooter is currently in police custody. and ss the investigation unfolds, authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims and the bus driver. Miami Gardens police continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses to piece together the circumstances leading up to the deadly encounter.
