One killed after bus hijacked at gunpoint in Los Angeles, police chase

One person was killed after a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus was hijacked and then chased by the police as the driver was held at gunpoint in Los Angeles early Wednesday morning, authorities say.

The LAPD PIO released details about the hijacking in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter.

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a "Call 911" sign flashing on a Line 81 bus around 12:45 a.m. in South Los Angeles, KTLA5 reported, citing a spokesperson, adding the bus driver had activated the emergency sign after a suspect pulled out a gun allegedly during a dispute. KABC reported that authorities described the incident as a "kidnapping situation."

While several passengers were able to exit the bus before things took a turn for the worse, at least two others were still on board when the bus driver was reportedly forced to take off with the bus as the suspect held a gun to his head, as per KTLA5.

Spike strips were deployed to halt the bus, and the chase eventually came to an end in downtown L.A., the department spokesperson told KTLA5.

LAPD Deputy Chief Donald Graham, speaking to the media at the site of the incident, called the driver a hero and said that he "continued to operate the bus in a safe a manner as he could under the circumstances with police trailing him for an hour before the spike strips finally took effect."

SWAT officers arrived at the scene and a standoff with the suspect ensued as authorities deployed flash-bang devices. KABC reported the suspect, who has not been identified, eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.

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Bus driver, others rescued

The bus driver was rescued by police officers through a window and at least one other passenger was also rescued from the bus, according to KTLA5.

The Los Angeles Fire Department, in an incident alert, said three patients were evaluated of which one male was in critical condition and transported to a local trauma hospital while two others "declined LAFD evaluation or transport and were released on scene."

The critical patient, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds, as per KABC was pronounced dead at the hospital.

'Active investigation'

It is not immediately known if there was a motive behind the incident.

The LAPD did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for an update on the incident.

"Metro is grateful for the LAPD’s swift action regarding this morning’s bus hijacking incident and is grateful the operator was unharmed," L.A. Metro said in a statement. "Metro is providing the operator with the support he needs."

"This is still an active investigation being led by the LAPD," the statement added.

The story has been updated to add video and new information.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.