Atlanta, Georgia – The chaos ensued on a Gwinnett County Transit bus when a passenger was fatally shot after a fight with the suspect, prompting a police chase, authorities revealed.
The altercation erupted around 4:35 p.m. ET on a Tuesday in downtown Atlanta, triggering a response from the police due to reports of gunfire on the bus and a possible hostage situation, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
The suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Joseph Grier from Stone Mountain, got into a dispute with a male passenger after boarding the bus in downtown Atlanta, as per the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The altercation escalated when the passenger drew a gun, leading to a scuffle during which Grier allegedly seized the firearm and proceeded to threaten other passengers with it, the GBI stated in a press release.
Subsequently, Grier shot the passenger using the victim’s own gun and compelled the bus driver to flee while brandishing the weapon, intensifying the hostage situation, the GBI reported.
The pursue spanned multiple jurisdictions, with the bus eventually being disabled in Stone Mountain in DeKalb County, about 16 miles northeast of the initial incident location, police disclosed.
Grier was taken into custody peacefully following the disablement of the bus, with SWAT officers discovering the gunshot victim while clearing the vehicle, the DeKalb County police confirmed. The victim was later identified as Ernest Byrd, 58.
Police revealed that Grier faces multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, hijacking a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, among others.
Byrd’s family expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss and called for more details to comprehend the tragedy fully, highlighting Byrd’s dedication to resolving conflicts and protecting others.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities also looking into the use of force by the state trooper during the incident. A shaken passenger described the ordeal as traumatic, emphasizing the gratitude of surviving the harrowing experience.