After carrying out an arduous operation, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the arrest of José Zayas, a subject indicated as allegedly responsible for killing Bruce Rodríguez, a Culver City bus driver.
The events took place on Thursday afternoon near Centinela and Mitchell Avenue, on the border between Culver City and Los Angeles.
In an interview with NBC television channel, Eric Eppolito, captain of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), said the suspected killer was drunk and, apparently, ran into a discussion with the bus driver, which culminated in the moment he shot him in the head.
Following, the assailant fled leaving in the wounded place Bruce Rodríguez who, despite being transferred to a nearby hospital, was declared dead.
Nearly 20 hours later, thanks to the collaboration of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Gang and Narcotics Division (LAPD) with the FBI’s Working Group for the Detention of Violent Crimes, José Zayas, 55, was arrested in the 3600 Square of Motor Avenue and immediately transferred to a local prison where a $3,000,000 bail was laid.
Until now, the detonated weapon has not been recovered that ended up killing a driver whose wife and two children, aged three years and six months, respectively, were left without support.
Denisse Gastélum, a lawyer and civil rights defender, issued a statement where she took the case of the murdered driver to demand the Culver City bus service to redouble security measures to ensure the integrity of its employees.
“Bruce spent 12 years serving this community and should have returned home with his family. We call on public employers to listen to their employees’ concerns about security and take concrete steps to protect the public servants who keep our communities functioning,” the message said.
Kathy Sánchez, the cousin of the murdered driver, launched a GoFundMe campaign whose goal is to raise $150,000 – of which she already has more than half – to deliver them to her widow with the aim that she can take forward her little children.
“Bruce served his community at the wheel. The role I loved most was the role of husband and father at home. Bruce was the main supporter of his family. I felt a great pride in taking care of the people I loved,” the campaign’s description says.
