Anthony Rivera Obituary, Death – The man killed in a hijacking of a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles early Wednesday has been identified as 48-year-old Anthony Rivera, a resident of LA. Rivera was fatally shot during the incident, which unfolded after a gunman boarded the bus and confronted its driver around 1 a.m. on South Figueroa Street and Imperial Highway. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a slow-speed chase through downtown LA that lasted about an hour.
At the time of the hijacking, Rivera was one of at least two passengers aboard the bus. The armed man entered the vehicle and immediately threatened the driver, who has been identified only as a long-time employee of the city’s transit agency. Fortunately, the driver acted quickly and triggered an emergency alarm system, an action authorities say likely prevented further casualties. In addition to activating the alarm, the driver also managed to operate the bus’s electronic sign, which displayed a message reading, “Emergency Call 911,” alerting passersby to the crisis. Several 911 calls were made in response to the emergency sign, contributing to the rapid police response.
Despite these efforts, the situation took a tragic turn when the gunman opened fire on Rivera during the hijacking. The exact circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear, and authorities have not yet disclosed what prompted the gunman to shoot Rivera. After being shot, Rivera was transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The standoff between the gunman and police continued for some time as officers pursued the hijacked bus. SWAT teams were deployed when the bus came to a stop near LA’s Skid Row neighborhood. Police had used spike strips to disable some of the bus’s tires, eventually bringing it to a halt. As the situation unfolded, SWAT officers surrounded the bus and attempted to subdue the gunman, employing non-lethal methods such as bean bags and stun grenades. Their primary goal was to rescue the remaining passengers and the driver.
When officers finally managed to board the bus, they discovered Rivera suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save him, his injuries were too severe. The driver and a second passenger, who had hidden during the standoff, were treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries and were later released. Metro issued a statement confirming that the driver, a long-term employee of the agency, was physically unharmed and is receiving support in the aftermath of the traumatic event.
The suspect, a 51-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He is currently being held on $2 million bail as authorities continue their investigation. As of now, a motive for the hijacking and shooting has not been determined. Police are working to uncover further details about the gunman’s actions and what led to the tragic death of Rivera.
This fatal hijacking is the second major bus hijacking to occur in downtown Los Angeles within the past six months. In an earlier incident, an armed man commandeered another Metro bus, leading to a collision with several vehicles before the bus ultimately crashed into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. In that case, both the bus driver and a woman in a car struck by the hijacked bus sustained injuries. Authorities later discovered that the hijacker had been armed with a BB gun rather than a real firearm. Although that earlier incident did not result in any fatalities, it left the community shaken and underscored the risks posed by public transportation hijackings.
The back-to-back hijackings have raised concerns among city officials, transit workers, and passengers about the safety of the Metro bus system. Mayor Karen Bass expressed her condolences to Rivera’s family and praised the quick thinking of the bus driver during Wednesday’s incident, noting that the driver’s actions likely helped prevent an even worse outcome. Bass also emphasized the importance of continued efforts to enhance safety on public transportation in Los Angeles, especially in light of these violent incidents.
The Metro agency has been working to improve safety measures for its drivers and passengers, particularly in response to growing concerns about crime on public transit. Increased police presence, enhanced surveillance, and better communication systems are part of the agency’s strategy to ensure the safety of both riders and employees. However, incidents like the recent hijackings highlight the challenges that remain.
In the aftermath of Rivera’s death, his family and community are left grappling with the senseless nature of the crime. Friends and relatives are mourning the loss of a man whose life was cut short by an unpredictable and violent act. The community has expressed its sorrow and frustration over the growing sense of insecurity in public spaces, including the Metro system, which serves thousands of residents across the city every day.
As the investigation continues, Los Angeles authorities are determined to find answers and seek justice for Anthony Rivera, while also focusing on improving the safety and security of public transportation. In the meantime, the city remains on edge, with many hoping for a resolution to the escalating violence that has recently plagued its transit system.