WMATA bus driver attacked while driving bus in Silver Spring; Police searching for suspect
WMATA bus driver punched repeatedly as bus moves through Silver Spring
Metro Transit Police are searching for a man accused of repeatedly punching a WMATA bus driver after being told he could not bring an open alcoholic beverage onto the bus. Surveillance video shows the attack unfolding while the bus was still moving. The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the union representing operators is calling for stronger safety protections.
SILVER SPRING, Md. - The Metro Transit Police Department is looking for the man caught on camera attacking a bus driver in Silver Spring last week.
What we know:
The attack happened Saturday night, Aug. 1. Police said the man got on the bus near the Woodmoor shopping center, on Colesville Road near Woodmoor Circle.
Surveillance video from inside the bus showed the driver telling the man that he couldn't bring an open, alcoholic drink on board.
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Shortly after their exchange, the driver asked the man to step back while he drove the bus. That's when the man grabs the shield between him and the driver, reaches around and starts punching him while the bus is moving.
The suspect gets off the bus shortly after that.
What they're saying:
The union that represents WMATA bus drivers says that this incident shows that the shields do not sufficiently protect drivers.
WMATA tells FOX 5 that the transportation authority is working to install fully-enclosed shields on every bus in the fleet, which officials say will "further protect operators."
The Source: Information in this story is from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.