In a shocking incident that took place last year on a Metro bus in Los Angeles, Lamont Campbell, 51, has pleaded not guilty to a series of serious charges, including murder, stemming from the alleged fatal shooting of a bus passenger.
The charges against Campbell also include carjacking, kidnapping during a carjacking, assault with a handgun, attempted murder, robbery, felony evading, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces additional counts of kidnapping in relation to the events of September 25, 2022.
The timeline of events began around 12:45 a.m. on that date, near Manchester Avenue and Figueroa Street, when Campbell allegedly shot Anthony Rivera once in the thigh while aboard the bus. Following the shooting, he is accused of demanding the bus driver to continue driving and subsequently robbing a female passenger at gunpoint.
A pivotal hearing earlier this month provided sufficient evidence for the case to advance to trial. Bus driver Dennis Contreras, who witnessed the chaos unfold, described his fear for his life and his family during the ordeal. He testified that he thought he was going to be shot and recalled the moments when the authorities used diversionary tactics to safely extract him from the bus after the lengthy police pursuit.
In a gripping account, Contreras expressed that he had to say goodbye to his family as the bus came to a standstill after the police chase. His testimony indicated that he was in ‘panic mode’ after hearing gunshots and feared for the safety of his passengers.
Contreras recounted an instance when Campbell, who was allegedly brandishing a gun, ordered him to close the bus doors and keep driving. The driver activated the emergency alert system, hoping to signal for help by notifying oncoming vehicles, but the situation escalated quickly as the gunman maintained control aboard the bus.
He attempted to stop for passengers at the end of their route but hesitated when he realized that passengers were too frightened to move. Under threat, Campbell permitted one passenger to exit but forced another to stay on the bus, as chaos reigned among those held inside.
In her testimony, passenger Arzetta Coleman identified Campbell in court as the gunman. She described the harrowing moments when the shooting occurred and the fear that gripped her as she attempted to protect herself from the armed assailant. Coleman spoke emotionally about how she felt she was going to die, stating, “I had to defer to a higher power … I just called on God to help me.”
Another passenger, Dewan Jenkins, shared his shock at the situation and how he struggled to react to the initial gunfire. He noted that Campbell’s directives made the atmosphere within the bus even more tense, causing passengers to panic. Jenkins was eventually able to escape the bus after a difficult struggle amid the chaos.
The incident kicked off a slow-speed police pursuit when officers received a 911 call about the situation aboard the bus, which they suspected involved a man with a firearm. LAPD Officer Juan Pantoja reported that after police demanded everyone exit the bus, the vehicle took off, leading to a series of traffic violations while police pursued.
The chase, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, ended when the bus hit a police spike strip, forcing it to stop at 6th and Alameda streets. Authorities, including SWAT personnel, moved in and discovered the plight unfolding inside the bus.
Tragically, they found Rivera, 48, critically injured from the gunshot wound, and he later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Another man aboard the bus later clarified that he had been asleep during the commotion, emphasizing the shocking nature of that evening’s events.
As the trial approaches, the community is still grappling with the fallout from this disturbing episode of violence. The circumstances surrounding the case remain a focal point for discussions about safety and security on public transportation.
In light of the serious charges facing Campbell, the court proceedings will further explore the details of the incident and the impact it has had on the lives of those involved, including the witnesses who were left shaken by the night of terror onboard the Metro bus.
Ultimately, the implications of this case stretch beyond the courtroom, touching on broader concerns for public safety and the ever-present threat of gun violence in contemporary society.
image source from：patch
