Passenger Shot and Killed In Bronzeville CTA Bus Shooting
Personal Injury - July 5, 2024
19-Year-Old Passenger Died, Bus Driver Injured In Chicago Transit Authority Bus Shooting on State Street In Bronzeville
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 5, 2024) – A 19-year-old passenger has tragically died in a Chicago Transit Authority bus shooting in the Bronzeville neighborhood.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place around 12:14 a.m. on Monday. Some type of altercation broke out on the #29 State Street bus as it was heading southbound.
One of the bus passengers pulled out a gun and shot a passenger and the bus driver. The shooting caused the bus driver to crash into the curb.
Authorities said that the shooter fled the scene and has not been apprehended so far. Paramedics arrived and began life-saving measures for the two victims.
A 19-year-old passenger sadly died due to his injuries, and the bus driver was taken to the hospital to undergo surgery. Any person who may have more information about what happened or the whereabouts of the assailant should reach out to the police.
Liability For Chicago Transit Authority Bus Shootings
Attacks on public buses are far too common. According to one report by Axios, “”Major” assaults on transit workers — those resulting in death or requiring medical transport — rose nearly threefold nationally between 2008 and 2022, from 168 to 492, the Urban Institute found, using data from the Federal Transit Administration’s National Transit Database.” Bus companies should take a number of measures in order to prevent bus assaults.
- Driver Training: Bus drivers should be trained to recognize and respond to suspicious activity.
- Lighting: Buses should be well lit to discourage criminal activity.
- Panic Buttons: Buses should have panic buttons to alert the authorities in the event of an emergency.
Bus operators are considered “common carriers” under Illinois law. As such, bus companies owe a heightened duty of care with respect to protecting their passengers. Bus operators have a legal obligation to protect their passengers from other passengers. Accordingly, if a bus driver is aware that a violent argument is taking place, they must take action. Failing to take any action in such a circumstance could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that certain steps be taken after any bus shooting.
- The history of violent conduct on the bus involved should be determined.
- Surveillance footage from around and within the bus should be sought.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
Many bus assaults are preventable. At the very least, bus companies must take reasonable measures in order to protect their passengers from foreseeable criminal activity. But far too often, this does not take place. It is important for victims of bus assaults to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person who died in a bus shooting may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Chicago Transit Authority Bus Shootings
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the teenager killed in this Bronzeville CTA bus shooting. It is our sincere hope that the bus driver will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. Any person who may have more information about the location of the assailant should reach out to the police.
Do you need more information about a Bronzeville CTA bus shooting? Our team of bus safety advocates is here to get you the information and support that you need. We are committed to helping assault victims and their families. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
