Fatal Shooting on Metro Bus in Commerce Follows LA Mayor’s Safety Plea- Find Out Details

A deadly shooting aboard a Metro bus in Commerce has highlighted growing concerns over violent crime connected to Los Angeles’ public transit system. The incident occurred just hours after LA Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass called for an “immediate surge” in security personnel across the network. In this article we talk about Fatal Shooting on Metro Bus in Commerce Follows LA Mayor’s Safety Plea.

The shooting was reported shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Thursday near the intersection of Boxford and Slauson Avenues, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Responding officers found a male victim with at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital but did not survive.

The suspect fled the bus on foot and remains at large as of early Friday morning. Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation but no information about the shooter or motive has been released so far.

This marks the second shooting on Metro property, following an incident at the Compton Station that left one person injured. While overall crime rates on LA’s buses and trains have dropped over the past year, violent attacks have been on the rise.

Mayor Bass Acts to Boost Security Presence

In a Thursday press conference held just hours before the Commerce shooting, Mayor Bass directed the LA Metro agency to immediately deploy more police and security officers throughout the transit network. Her order comes in response to a recent spate of violent crimes that have stoked fears among riders and operators.

“The spike in violent crime on Metro that we have recently seen against operators and riders has been absolutely unacceptable,” said Bass. “I know that all of my colleagues here today would agree.”

Bass serves as the chair of Metro’s Board of Directors in addition to her role as Mayor. She announced that the Board will vote next week on a motion to expand the daily deployment of security personnel and ensure their active, visible presence on vehicles and at stations.

A key element of the plan is establishing unified command between the multiple law enforcement departments tasked with patrolling Metro, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), and Long Beach Police Department. This centralized leadership could help target resources more effectively across Metro’s sprawling network.

The motion will also push for upgrading cellular and emergency communications infrastructure across the system, especially in underground subway tunnels. Riders have reported being unable to call for help due to poor signal, leaving them vulnerable.

Violent Crimes Stoking Fear Among Riders

The shocking shooting in Commerce occurred against a backdrop of at least nine violent crimes on Metro property since mid-December 2022. Incidents include a fatal stabbing aboard a train near Studio City in January as well as a trio of attacks this week alone:

• On Tuesday afternoon, a victim was assaulted and robbed aboard a bus in Encino, suffering a blow to the chest. The suspect was quickly apprehended.
• On Monday evening, a fight broke out on a bus in Glendale, resulting in two stabbings. Two suspects were arrested while the victims sustained non-life-threatening wounds.
• Earlier the same night, a woman was stabbed in the arm by an assailant at the Vermont/Athens Metro Station. The attacker escaped on a train.

Ridership on Metro buses and rail lines plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic and has struggled to fully rebound. Assaults, robberies, and other violent crimes may deter people from returning to the system over lingering safety fears. Surveys indicate that nearly three-quarters of former Metro riders don’t feel secure on public transportation.

While statistics show an overall reduction in crime systemwide over the past 12 months, brutal attacks often generate heavy media coverage and public concern. Many riders say they have witnessed drug use, violence, and threatening behavior across the network.

Leaders Balance Security Needs and Social Reform

In recent years, LA Metro leaders have grappled with demands for improved security while also pursuing progressive reforms aimed at addressing homelessness and mental health issues among riders. The agency vastly expanded its civilian “ambassador” program during 2020’s racial justice protests as an alternative to police presence.

However, ambassadors lack enforcement authority. Mayor Bass acknowledged on Thursday that visible security forces will be crucial to restoring public confidence. Vice-chair and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn concurred, stating, “We need law enforcement riding our buses and our trains.”

But the push for more policing faces financial and social hurdles. Metro’s Board balked at a 10% budget increase for law enforcement last year without guarantees of increased visibility. Civil rights advocates argue that more officers often disproportionately target minorities and the mentally ill.

With pressure mounting, Metro must balance urgent safety needs with calls for equitable and compassionate policies across its network. Leaders admit difficult decisions lie ahead to address this complex crisis. I sincerely hope you find this “Fatal Shooting on Metro Bus in Commerce Follows LA Mayor’s Safety Plea- Find Out Details” article helpful.