Police Release Photos Of Suspect Accused Of Attacking Bus Driver
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Police are asking for the public's help to identify a man accused of attacking an MTA bus driver and firing several shots.
Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration Police say the attack on April 4 was so severe, it's described as an aggravated assault.
"That's crazy, and I didn't hear of it and I walk through here almost everyday and I heard nothing," one commuter told WJZ's Ava-joye Burnett.
MTA officials say the incident happened along a busy stretch of Bentalou Street around 9:30 p.m. The bus route is 26.
The MTA said the suspect fired off several shots after he got off the bus. But it's not clear if the man shot directly at the driver.
"Unbelievable. That normally don't happen right here," another rider said.
Violence has broken out on buses before.
Last year, police arrested a half dozen minors ages 13 to 16 after a brawl spilled out from a bus onto the streets of Baltimore.
Bus drivers have complained about the dangers of the job.
In 2016, a woman brutally attacked an operator for allegedly passing her at another stop.
The victim spoke to WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren.
"She just started banging me in my face and banging me in my head. You can see clearly that I was assaulted, and because of this assault, that has changed my life," Karen Alexander said at the time.
After this most recent event, the MTA is turning to the public for help to find the man who may have attacked a driver.
Passengers are on alert.
"It don't seem like it's a bad corner. I stand out here every day," commuter Richard Wilds said.
In the past, MTA has released video of encounters on buses. This time around, they sent out photos of the suspect.
The bus driver's condition has not yet been released.
The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
Anyone with information on the suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call MDOT MTA Police at 410-454-7720.
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