Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of Culver CityBus driver
MAR VISTA, Calif. (KESQ) - A 55-year-old man suspected in the fatal shooting of a Culver CityBus driver in Mar Vista was taken into custody today.
Jose Zayas was taken into custody by the Gang and Narcotics Division FBI Task Force around 2:05 p.m. Friday without incident in the 3900 block of Motor Avenue , the southern end of the street at Washington Boulevard, on suspicion of murder, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said the case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office early next week for consideration of formal charges.
According to police, Robbery-Homicide Division West Bureau Section detectives initially took the lead in the investigation and identified Zayas as the shooting suspect.
His bail was set at $3 million.
The driver was shot around 5:15 p.m. Thursday near Centinela Avenue and Washington Boulevard during an apparent altercation with a passenger over a wrong turn, according to police.
Responding officers found the driver, a man in his 40s, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The victim has not been identified.
Zayas fled after the shooting, taking a bicycle from a rack on the front of the bus and riding away before later being taken into custody, police said.
Culver City Mayor Freddy Puza announced Thursday evening that Culver CityBus service would be suspended from Friday through Sunday the weekend in response to the shooting.
"We have lost a deeply valued member of our city family to a senseless act of violence,'' Puza said. "We are grieving the loss of someone who dedicated their time and talents to serving Culver City and who made a meaningful difference through that service every day.''
The city said it will provide crisis support services to its staff following the shooting.
"When services do resume, please be kind to our operators and transit team as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy,'' the city said in a statement.
Anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting was urged to call the Robbery-Homicide Division West Bureau Section at 213-382-9470. Calls during non-business hours should be made to 877-527 3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit
lacrimestoppers.org.
