BALTIMORE — An MTA bus driver was shot and killed by a passenger after they got into an argument on the bus.
On Thursday at about 10:32 A.M., a Southeast District Patrol officer was in the area of the 1200 block of E. Fayette Street when he heard gunshots.
The officer responded to the area where he saw and chased the shooting suspect.
Police say the suspect was able to avoid arrest.
When the officer returned to the location, the officer found a 51 year-old bus driver suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene by medics.
MTA identified the bus driver as Marcus Parks.
Homicide detectives are investigating this incident and have learned that the victim and the suspect (passenger on the bus) were arguing when the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
The suspect then fled on foot.
Detectives are asking anyone who has information about this incident to call (410) 396-2100.
MTA issued the following statements on the killing of Parks:
Statement from Transportation Secretary Greg Slater:
"MDOT truly is a family. I am deeply saddened and troubled that one of our own was killed on the job this morning. My sympathy goes out to the Parks family. Mr. Parks and all of our bus operators are critical to providing essential travel throughout this pandemic and every day. They deserve to be able to serve the community safely."
Statement from MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn:
"The safety of our employees and our riders is MDOT MTA’s highest priority. We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our family members, bus operator Marcus Parks. As a 20-year employee, Mr. Parks was a true frontline hero transporting essential workers during this COVID-19 health emergency. MDOT MTA is forever grateful for his commitment to the residents of Baltimore. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this most difficult time."
Baltimore City Council President, Brandon Scott also tweeted out a statement, for which the Fraternal Order of Police quickly pounced on, appearing to sarcastically interpret the remarks as a rebuke on Police Commissioner Michael Harrison's crime plan, though Harrison is mentioned nowhere in Scott's statement.
Thank you, Sir, for publicly agreeing that PC Harrison's violent crime plan is failing. This has been FOP3’s vocal position for quite some time now. As elected leaders we call upon you & others to make changes now, before more good hard working Baltimore citizens are brutalized. https://t.co/xih5I0P0e7
— Baltimore City FOP (@FOP3) October 8, 2020
