Culver City resumed CityBus service today following a weekend suspension in response to the fatal shooting of a bus operator.
The driver was shot and killed around 5:15 p.m. Thursday near Centinela Avenue and Washington Boulevard in Mar Vista by an intoxicated passenger in an apparent altercation over a wrong turn, according to police.
“We have lost a deeply valued member of our City family to a senseless act of violence,” said Mayor Freddy Puza. “We are grieving the loss of someone who dedicated their time and talents to serving Culver City and who made a meaningful difference through that service every day.”
The Gang and Narcotics Division FBI Task Force took 55-year-old Jose Zayas into custody Friday without incident in the 3900 block of Motor Avenue on suspicion of murder, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Police said the case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office early this week for consideration of formal charges.
According to police, Robbery-Homicide Division West Bureau Section detectives initially took the lead in the investigation and identified Zayas as the shooting suspect.
His bail was set at $3 million.
The victim has not yet been identified. Police said responding officers located a man in his 40s at the scene, who sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The city planned to provide crisis support services to its staff following the shooting.
“When services do resume, please be kind to our operators and transit team as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy,” the city said in a statement.