Victim Killed While Riding MTA Bus

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, February 9, 1999
On Sunday, February 7, 1999, at 12:26 P.M., Hollywood Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of shots fired on an MTA bus, at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Upon arrival, the officers observed the bus stopped southbound on Highland Avenue, just south of Hollywood Boulevard. The officers discovered that a passenger, described as a male African American, had sustained numerous gunshot wounds. The suspect had fled from the location on foot.

Paramedics responded to the location and pronounced the victim’s death.

The investigation revealed that the suspect had boarded the bus at Lankershim Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue in North Hollywood. As he located a seat at the rear of the bus, he and the victim briefly exchanged confrontational words. As the bus stopped on Highland Avenue, south of Hollywood Boulevard, the suspect exited the rear doors. As he exited, he turned and fired several gunshots at the victim, who had remained seated on the bus. The suspect then fled on foot.

The suspect is described as a male African American, 23- 24 years of age, 5’10" – 6’0" in height, 160 -180 pounds and wearing his hair in short braids. The suspect was wearing a black jacket, off-white pants and tan hiking boots.

The identities of the victim and the suspect are unknown.

The Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Community Police Station, Homicide Section, is handling the investigation.

If you have information related to the above incident, please contact Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 213-485-6410.

For Release 9:35 am PST
February 9, 1999