HART bus driver dead after being stabbed by passenger

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Tampa Police officers have a man in custody after a deadly stabbing aboard a HART bus.

Officers say at approximately 4:12 p.m., a passenger on a southbound HART bus got up out of his seat and stabbed the bus driver.  The male driver died from his injuries.

Police spokesman Steve Hegarty says the suspect exited the bus and ran west toward Interstate 275.  Based on a description provided by a witness, officers spotted the man and approached him. He fled and resisted arrest, but was finally apprehended on the side of the northbound lanes of Interstate 275.

At this time a man has been charged with resisting arrest. There is no clear motive for the stabbing.

“This is highly unusual," Hegarty said. "We aren’t sure how it that happened.”

The identities of the driver and the suspect have not been released at this time.

HART bus riders were surprised by what happened. “This is crazy. The thought of that is just insane. It makes me sick to think that we could’ve been on that bus,” Emma Miller said.  “I don’t know if I’ll be riding the bus anytime soon, because I don’t feel comfortable now, just the thought of that. Because I wouldn’t know what to do," she added.

HART's CEO, Ben Limmer offered his condolences as the HART family mourns.  "We are devastated by the tragic events that took place today involving our HART bus operator. We are working with the Tampa Police Department as they conduct their investigation into this horrific matter," Limmer said. "We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the bus operator, as well as to all of our HART colleagues."