The driver died after a confrontation with a passenger Thursday, and Culver City suspended bus service through the weekend.
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles police arrested a man Friday suspected of fatally shooting a Culver CityBus driver during a confrontation with a passenger in the Mar Vista neighborhood, authorities said, marking a major development less than a day after the killing.
The shooting happened about 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, near South Centinela and Mitchell avenues. The driver, described by police as a man in his 40s, was taken to a hospital and later died. His name had not been publicly released as of Friday evening. Two other passengers aboard the bus were not injured, according to local reports citing police.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Friday evening that officers had taken into custody a person believed to be responsible for the shooting. Officer Tony Im told the Los Angeles Times that detectives were continuing to investigate the circumstances and that additional information about the suspect would be released later. Authorities had not publicly announced charges when the arrest was first confirmed.
Police said the shooting followed an argument between the driver and a passenger. Two witnesses told investigators that the passenger appeared intoxicated and became upset over a missed stop or the direction the bus was traveling. LAPD Capt. Eric Eppolito said the passenger then produced a gun and shot the driver. Investigators have not publicly established a motive beyond the reported confrontation.
The suspect left the bus after the shooting and fled with a bicycle that had been carried on the bus, police said. Authorities initially described the person being sought as a man wearing a white shirt. Investigators reviewed video from the bus and interviewed witnesses as detectives worked to identify and locate him. Police did not immediately disclose Friday how the suspect was found or where the arrest occurred.
The killing prompted Culver City officials to suspend Culver CityBus service through the weekend. Although the bus is operated by Culver City, the shooting happened within Los Angeles, placing the homicide investigation under the Los Angeles Police Department. Culver City also said crisis support would be offered to transit employees and other city workers affected by the driver’s death.
Culver City Mayor Freddy Puza described the driver as a deeply valued member of the city’s workforce who had dedicated his time to serving the community. Puza said the loss was especially painful for the Culver CityBus team and would be felt throughout the city organization. Officials said the weekend suspension was intended to give employees time to grieve.
Early reports differed slightly over the exact location and circumstances of the confrontation. Some reports placed the bus near Centinela and Mitchell avenues, while others described the scene along Centinela near Washington Boulevard. Witness accounts also varied between a dispute over a missed stop and an argument over the direction of travel. Police continued working Friday to establish a complete sequence of events.
The arrest changed the status of the investigation from an active search for a fleeing gunman to a homicide case involving a suspect in custody. Detectives with the LAPD continued examining evidence and witness statements Friday evening. The driver’s identity and further details about the suspect had not yet been publicly released by authorities.
Author note: Last updated October 2, 2026.