Suspect in deadly L.A. bus hijacking was attempting to rob passengers, police sources say

A gunman accused of hijacking a Los Angeles Metro bus earlier this week and killing one person on board is believed to have gotten on the bus to rob the passengers, according to multiple police sources.

The investigation into the hijacking is still ongoing, but the sources said robbery is currently the leading theory for how the incident began.

Lamont Campbell, 51, is being held on suspicion of murder and is awaiting charges after police say he boarded the bus in South Los Angeles about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, shot a passenger and held the driver and another passenger on board hostage for more than an hour as he led police on a winding pursuit into downtown.

On Friday, police identified the victim as 48-year-old Anthony Rivera from Los Angeles. He died at a hospital after a SWAT team stormed the bus and took Campbell into custody. Multiple law enforcement sources who were not authorized to speak publicly about an ongoing investigation said that Rivera was shot during an attempted armed robbery.

Police said the chase began near South Figueroa Street and Manchester Avenue about 12:45 a.m. after Campbell boarded the bus, argued with the driver and shot a passenger as the other riders ran out. One passenger was hit by a car as they escaped the bus and was injured but survived.

For more than an hour, police vehicles followed the bus as it slowly made its way from Vermont Knolls in South Los Angeles to downtown, where police used spike strips to puncture the tires.

After a SWAT team deployed flash grenades and stormed the bus, Campbell was taken into custody.

Paramedics found Rivera on the bus with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The LAPD expects to present its case to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office Monday.

On Wednesday, Mayor Karen Bass said the city will explore new ways to detect weapons and protect riders and drivers on public transit.

“I want to say unequivocally that what happened this morning will not be tolerated. It has no place in Los Angeles and the individual who was arrested must be held fully accountable,� Bass said. “Every Angeleno has the right to go about their lives safely, especially on our public transportation system.�