Bus Driver Fired Gun During Fight With Rider, Police Say

PLEASANTON, CA — A Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority Wheels bus driver fired a gun during a scuffle with a passenger last week, according to police and LAVTA.

There were no injuries. The bus driver is no longer with LAVTA, which serves the Tri-Valley cities of Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Monday, April 13, when a male boarded a bus heading from Livermore to Pleasanton and exited at First and Spring streets in Pleasanton, according to a statement from LAVTA.

The passenger was apparently upset that the previous bus on the route did not stop for him, LAVTA said.

The passenger and driver exchanged words after the passenger exited the bus, and the passenger re-entered the bus through the front door. A fight broke out between the two, LAVTA said.

The gun was fired, the passenger exited the bus and the driver continued on to the next bus stop at Neal and First streets, where he parked the bus, LAVTA said.

Police interviewed the driver and a passenger on the bus at the time, LAVTA said.

Police are still investigating and no arrests have been made, though police will submit their case to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office at some point, said Pleasanton Police Lt. Erik Silacci. Police are unsure of why the altercation occurred.

The driver was with LAVTA for about six months. Employees are prohibited from carrying guns on the job, said LAVTA spokesperson Tony McCaulay.