A chaotic scene unfolded in Atlanta on Tuesday as a gunman hijacked a city bus with 17 passengers on board, leading to a police chase and ending with one person dead.
According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Joseph Grier of Stone Mountain, boarded the bus in downtown Atlanta and held the driver at gunpoint. Grier, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, forced the driver to navigate the bus through city streets and onto Interstate 85.
Law enforcement agencies, including Atlanta Police, Georgia State Patrol, DeKalb County Police, and the DeKalb County Marshal’s Office, pursued the hijacked bus. The chase ended on Hugh Howell Road, where passengers began disembarking as officers surrounded the vehicle.
Read: Unsolved Murder Of Dominique Lewis Haunts Florida Community After Nearly 17 Years
Tragically, upon entering the bus, officers discovered one adult victim deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The identity of the victim has not yet been released. The remaining passengers and the bus driver were safely evacuated.
Grier was apprehended at the scene and has been charged with a slew of offenses, including murder, multiple counts of kidnapping and aggravated assault, hijacking a motor vehicle, and more. He is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail.
The motive behind the hijacking remains unclear, and authorities are continuing their investigation. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed condolences to the victim’s family and commended law enforcement for their swift response, preventing further loss of life.
This incident has raised concerns about public transportation safety in Atlanta. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has pledged to review its security protocols and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.