In the early hours of Sunday, a tragic event unfolded when a Miami-Dade public transit bus driver fatally shot two passengers following an argument while the bus was parked, according to authorities.
The Miami Gardens Police Department reported that officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:50 a.m. regarding a disturbance on a Miami-Dade Transit bus near Northwest 183rd Street and NW Seventh Avenue, close to a shopping center.
Details from the police report disclosed that the bus driver became embroiled in a confrontation with two male passengers. During the altercation, the driver pulled out a firearm and shot them. The two men were airlifted to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to their injuries.
The bus driver was subsequently taken into custody. Preliminary police statements indicate that the passengers did not fire at the driver, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the reason behind the shooting.
The identities of those involved in this fatal incident have not yet been released by authorities.
Diana Delgado, spokesperson for the Miami Gardens Police, assured the media that “this was an isolated incident. I don’t believe the community should be fearful.” She emphasized, “This was a dispute between the driver and the victims. At this moment, we lack the complete details to suggest that our community or any bus passengers should be afraid.”
Juan Mendieta, spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works, told the Miami Herald that firearms are prohibited for bus drivers as a means of self-defense. “Transit operators are not allowed to carry weapons,” he stressed.
The Miami Herald reported that the argument might have stemmed from a disagreement over a bicycle, though it remains unclear if this involved both individuals who were later shot by the driver.
The incident occurred on Miami-Dade bus number 77, which operates overnight between Miami Gardens and the Government Center transit station in downtown Miami. This route is one of the county’s most utilized, serving an average of 10,000 passengers on weekdays and about 4,000 on Sundays.
The shooting is under investigation by the homicide unit of the Miami Gardens Police Department. As of Sunday afternoon, no charges had been filed.
Key Details Surrounding the Miami-Dade Bus Shooting
What led to the shooting incident on the Miami-Dade bus?
The shooting occurred following a dispute between the bus driver and two passengers. Although initial reports suggest the argument might have involved a bicycle, the exact details are still under investigation.
Are bus drivers in Miami-Dade allowed to carry firearms?
No, bus drivers in Miami-Dade are not permitted to carry firearms as a means of self-defense. The policy prohibits transit operators from being armed.
Has the Miami-Dade bus driver been charged?
As of the latest updates, the bus driver has been arrested, but no formal charges have been announced by the authorities.