{"id":484484,"date":"2026-10-04T03:30:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T03:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/484484\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T03:30:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T03:30:11","slug":"california-bus-driver-killed-after-shift-leaves-behind-wife-and-2-young-sons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/484484\/","title":{"rendered":"California bus driver killed after shift leaves behind wife and 2 young sons"},"content":{"rendered":"

A California bus driver<\/a> gunned down after his shift was a newlywed dad of two young boys who \u201cloved being a father,\u201d according to his grieving family.<\/p>\n

Bruce Rodriquez, 42, and his wife, Sandy, had a 3-year-old son he was already teaching to play baseball and a 6-month-old baby boy, according to a GoFundMe <\/a>set up to support the family.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez was the primary provider for the household and also helped care for his elderly parents<\/a>, who shared the family home.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

A longtime Culver CityBus driver was shot shortly after 5 p.m. KNN NEWS<\/p>\n

The 12-year veteran had just finished his shift. KNN NEWS<\/p>\n

The shooter was intoxicated. KNN NEWS<\/p>\n

\u201cThe love Bruce poured into both boys will stay with them for a lifetime,\u201d his family wrote.<\/p>\n

He and Sandy were newlyweds building a life together when his death abruptly changed everything they had been planning.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

Rodriguez, a longtime Culver CityBus driver, was shot shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday near Centinela and Mitchell avenues along the Culver City-Los Angeles border<\/a>, police said. The 12-year veteran had just finished his shift when the confrontation turned deadly.<\/p>\n

LAPD Capt. Eric Eppolito told NBC LA <\/a>that the passenger was intoxicated and that the altercation was apparently over directions. Rodriguez was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez\u2019s family says he was the primary provider for his household. Gofundme<\/p>\n

Culver City bus driver Bruce Rodriguez, who was killed in an act of violence on Oct. 1. Gofundme<\/p>\n

Rodriguez served his community for 12 years. Gofundme<\/p>\n

Police arrested 55-year-old Jose Zayas Friday afternoon in connection with the killing. Zayas was taken into custody at 2:07 p.m. in the 3600 block of Motor Avenue and booked into a local jail on suspicion of murder. His bail was set at $3 million.<\/p>\n

\u201cFBI Violent Crime Apprehension Task Force assisted West Bureau Homicide in locating and arresting a suspect in the brutal murder of a Culver City bus driver,\u201d LAPD\u2019s Gang and Narcotics Division announced Friday evening, according to KTLA.<\/p>\n

The arrest came after police initially said the suspect had fled the scene on foot or by bicycle. No weapon was recovered at the scene, according to police.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez was remembered by his family as warm and easygoing, someone who could get along with anyone and loved making people laugh.<\/p>\n

His sister-in-law Kathy Sanchez also told KTLA<\/a> Rodriguez was known for handing out Hot Wheels cars to younger passengers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis priority was always keeping his passengers safe. That was his big thing,\u201d Sanchez said. \u201cHe knew how to diffuse a situation \u2026 keep people safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Culver CityBus suspended service throughout the weekend to allow employees to grieve.<\/p>\n

The fundraiser had raised more than $96,000<\/a> as of Saturday night to help cover funeral expenses and support Sandy, their two young sons, and Rodriguez\u2019s parents.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t