A harrowing incident unfolded on a bus near 45 Ivan Allan Jr. Blvd. NE in Atlanta just yesterday afternoon, as a man armed with a gun reportedly fired a shot and commandeered the public transit vehicle filled with passengers. According to the Atlanta Police Department, the situation developed around 4:35 p.m. on June 11, 2024, when authorities were alerted to the sounds of gunfire erupting from the bus.
Responding promptly to the chaotic scene, Zone 5 officers pursued the hijacked bus across multiple districts, engaging help from various agencies in an effort to safely bring the situation to a close. Despite the high stakes, Atlanta police were able to stop the fleeing vehicle near 5107 Hugh Howell Rd. in Stone Mountain, GA. Their suspect, 39-year-old Joseph Grier, was arrested without further complications.
Upon securing the bus, officials discovered one person with gunshot injuries. Tragically, this person did not survive, passing away after being rushed to the hospital. Police have reported that, at the time of the incident, the bus was carrying several other passengers, though no additional physical harm came to those on board. The investigation is still very much in progress, and as such, details surrounding the motive and full context of the hijack remain scarce.
