An LA Metro bus driver was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times Wednesday night in Woodland Hills, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Authorities said the crash happened around 5:15 p.m. near the intersection of Erwin Road and Topanga Canyon Avenue.
The attacker – described as a 21-year-old man wearing a red shirt, black pants and black backpack – was last seen fleeing Erwin Road towards Owensmouth Avenue, authorities said. .
The crash happened after the man got on the bus and got into an argument with the driver, based on Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. According to authorities, both the man and the driver got off the bus during an argument, which ended with the man stabbing the driver.
“Metro is shocked and saddened to learn of this heinous act of violence and is providing support to our employee and his loved ones,” the agency said in a statement. “We will work closely with the LAPD to investigate this incident and identify and prosecute suspects.”
According to the LAPD, the bus driver was taken to a local hospital for surgery and is currently in critical condition. No further driver details are available immediately.
in a tweetLAPD Director Michel Moore said his department “has assembled a number of night watch detectives and uniformed personnel to investigate this senseless attack.”
Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the stabbing.
“This heinous act of violence is appalling and the damage done to one of our Metro drivers is tragic,” she said in a statement. “I join the entire city family in praying for him tonight, and my heart goes out to his family as well.”
The stabbing is the latest act of violence on LA public transit. Last week, a 53-year-old woman was assaulted on an A Line train in Long Beach. The incident prompted Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to call for a “full inventory” of Metro security personnel during the attack.
“Safety on the Metro is a priority and I will redouble my efforts as mayor and Metro board member to keep transit passengers and workers safe,” Bass said. .
