– Atlanta commuter bus passengers frantically texted loved ones as gunman hijacked during rush hour
– Gunman hijacked Atlanta commuter bus during rush hour as passengers frantically texted loved ones.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Published: 12th June 2024 at 04:00 ET
Updated: 12th June 2024 at 10:08 ET
By Shawn Nottingham, Nick Valencia and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN
(CNN) — Shortly after a shooting incident inside a downtown Atlanta food court, chaos ensued as reports came in of a bus hijacking. A gunman had taken control of a commuter bus with 17 passengers on board, leading to a harrowing situation that unfolded across multiple counties.
According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Joseph Grier, a convicted felon with 19 prior convictions, held the bus driver at gunpoint and forced the vehicle to speed away from the scene. The ensuing police chase spanned highways and suburban streets, with the bus at times colliding with other vehicles and veering into oncoming traffic.
During the ordeal, a brave passenger managed to stay on the line with 911 dispatchers, providing crucial information to law enforcement. Mayor Andre Dickens described the scene as resembling a movie, with the suspect threatening passengers and the bus driver with a gun, demanding that the bus continue moving.
After a tense pursuit, the bus eventually came to a stop in the suburb of Stone Mountain, where Grier was apprehended without further incident. Unfortunately, one passenger was found shot and later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The victim’s identity will be released pending notification of their family.
How the Harrowing Incident Unfolded
The hijacked Gwinnett County Transit bus was part of Atlanta’s commuter network, which serves residents traveling to and from the city’s suburbs. Passenger Paulette Gilbert, who was on board during the hijacking, recounted the terrifying experience to her husband, Johnny Gilbert. She described a man exhibiting erratic behavior before escalating to violence on the bus.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Grier engaged in a confrontation with another passenger, ultimately seizing the individual’s gun and using it to threaten others on the bus. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, leading to the fatal shooting of a passenger and the subsequent hijacking of the bus.
Multiple 911 calls alerted authorities to the unfolding crisis, with dispatchers receiving reports of a gunman on the bus and shots fired. Law enforcement swiftly responded, attempting to intervene before the bus was forced to flee the scene. A dramatic chase ensued, with the bus weaving through traffic and evading police vehicles.
Ultimately, a Georgia State trooper fired into the bus’s engine compartment, bringing the vehicle to a halt. Passengers were able to disembark safely, and Grier was taken into custody. The incident is under joint investigation by the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
A Violent Day for Atlantans
Atlanta faced a day marred by violence, with two separate incidents occurring in close proximity. Prior to the bus hijacking, a shooting at a downtown food court left three individuals wounded. The suspect, a 34-year-old convicted felon, was swiftly apprehended, adding to the city’s alarming crime statistics.
Mayor Dickens addressed the incidents, attributing the violence to the prevalence of firearms in the community. While noting a general decrease in violent crime, he emphasized the need for further action to prevent such tragedies. The day’s events serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and communities alike.
CNN’s Steve Almasy contributed to this report.
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– Atlanta commuter bus hijacked during rush hour
– Bus passengers frantically texted loved ones as gunman hijacked Atlanta bus.
