1 dead after shooting during bus hijacking in Atlanta

A Gwinnett County Transit bus was hijacked with several people on board on June 11.

One person has died after someone hijacked a bus in Atlanta with several people on board.

On Tuesday, June 11, around 4:35 p.m. local time, Atlanta police officers responded to a report of possible shots fired and a possible hostage situation on a Gwinnett County Transit bus near 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, according to a statement shared on the police website.

“Upon police arrival on scene, the bus fled the scene and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit spanned multiple jurisdictions and involved multiple agencies,” the statement continued. “During the chase, police used various tactics to stop the bus. The bus eventually stopped near 5107 Hugh Howell Rd. in Stone Mountain, Georgia.”

After the bus stopped, police arrested a suspect – later identified as 39-year-old Joseph Grier. After evacuating the bus — which was carrying 17 people, including the driver — officers found an adult victim with what they believed to be a gunshot wound.

“The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries,” the police statement added, specifying that no other injuries were reported.

At a press conference on June 11, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum explained how officers responded to the 911 call before the suspect forced the bus driver to leave after was confronted by a police officer.

Schierbaum said officers received another 911 call from a family member of a bus occupant claiming the bus had been hijacked before another emergency call was made from the bus, and that the line remained open, which helped the officers.

Schierbaum confirmed that suspect Grier, whose last known address was in Stone Mountain, was a convicted felon with 19 prior arrests.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens told reporters, “It looks like a movie…” while explaining what happened.

Schierbaum said the bus driver was understandably shaken, adding that he appeared to be a “hero” in a “very dangerous situation.”

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Shortly before the bus hijacking, three victims were shot at the city’s Peachtree Center Mall. The Atlanta Police Department confirmed in a statement on its website that a 47-year-old man, a 69-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman suffered apparent gunshot wounds.

“All three individuals were alert, conscious and breathing, and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Officers were able to locate a 34-year-old suspect who they believe was in possession of a firearm,” indicates the press release.

“Today has been a very active day, but let me be clear, we are talking about gun violence that results from too many people having guns in their hands,” said Mayor Dickens during the press conference on the bus hijacking, adding that “you’re talking about too many guns in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them, too many guns on our streets, too many guns in our homes, too many weapons in our schools and our buses, etc. »

Schierbaum said police do not believe the two shootings are related.

The Atlanta Police Department said there were no further updates at this time when contacted by PEOPLE.

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