MTA Bus Driver Stabbed in Venice – NR23170dm

Venice: On June 22, 2023, around 2:05 p.m., patrol officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD or Department) Pacific Area responded to the 1700 block of Main Street for an “Ambulance Cutting” radio call.

The victim, an MTA bus operator stopped at the above location and exited the bus to check an exterior part. The suspect approached the victim and without provocation, stabbed him in the back. When officers arrived, they were directed to the suspect, who was later identified as 60-year-old Mark Charbonneaux. Officers contacted the suspect and took him into custody without incident. Pacific Area detectives and officers from the LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation.

The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital. He is currently listed in stable condition. The suspect was also transported to a local hospital and treated for a medical issue unrelated to the assault or his arrest. He was later cleared by hospital staff and released for booking. The investigation revealed that prior to the officers’ arrival a security guard from a local business deployed pepper spray against the suspect.

A four-inch folding knife used in the incident was recovered at scene. Charbonneaux was arrested and booked for 245(a)(1) Penal Code – Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Booking #6628443).