A routine midmorning stop on Metro’s Line 108 in Ladera Heights turned chaotic on Wednesday when a rider’s gun went off on board, injuring the person and pulling a wall of flashing lights onto Slauson Avenue.
The accidental discharge happened around 10:30 a.m., while the bus was stopped at Slauson Avenue and South Fairfax Avenue, according to officials. Los Angeles County sheriff’s transit deputies and Los Angeles County Fire crews responded, and the injured rider was taken to a local hospital. No other injuries were reported, and Slauson was closed between La Tijera Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue while investigators worked the scene.
Metro confirmed the basics in a brief statement quoted by FOX 11: “This morning, while Bus Line 108 was stopped at Slauson and Fairfax, a rider accidentally discharged a firearm, injuring himself.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the LASD Transit Services Bureau at (323) 563-5000; contact details are listed on LASD.
Where It Happened
The shooting occurred at the intersection of Slauson and South Fairfax in Ladera Heights, a regular stop on the Slauson corridor served by Metro’s Line 108. Route and stop listings include Slauson/Fairfax among Line 108’s scheduled stops, according to local transit information. BusMaps shows the Slauson/Fairfax stop for riders using that corridor.
Past Incidents And Concerns
This latest incident lands on a system already under scrutiny over safety issues on buses and trains. A fatal shooting aboard a Line 108 bus in Commerce in May 2024 fueled renewed calls for more patrols and additional safety measures, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. That earlier case prompted elected officials and transit leaders to push for stepped-up enforcement on high ridership corridors.
How Riders Can Help
Investigators are asking any witnesses or passengers who recorded video to preserve it and contact the LASD Transit Services Bureau at (323) 563-5000. In an emergency, riders should call 911.
Officials closed the immediate area while deputies processed the scene, and motorists and riders may see detours or delays around Slauson and Fairfax as the investigation continues.
Metro’s Safety Push
Metro has been rolling out a package of safety efforts, including its Transit Watch reporting tool, more visible security and pilot weapons detection programs. The agency says those steps have helped bring down some categories of crime on the system, according to its latest public safety update.
Transit officials have asked riders for patience while law enforcement does its work and are urging the public to use official channels to report tips or concerns. Metro outlines recent safety measures and reporting options.
