A tragic shooting incident unfolded early Sunday morning in Miami, Florida, when a Miami-Dade County Transit bus driver opened fire on two passengers, killing both. The incident occurred outside a shopping plaza at the corner of Miami Gardens Drive and Northwest Seventh Avenue.
According to authorities, the shooting was triggered by a heated argument between the bus driver and passengers. During the altercation, the driver drew a firearm and shot two male passengers. Both victims were airlifted to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to their injuries.
Law enforcement responded to a 911 call around 3 a.m. and quickly cordoned off the entire shopping plaza near the parked bus. It remains unclear what sparked the argument that escalated into deadly violence.
Miami Gardens police confirmed that the bus driver is in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities have not disclosed whether the driver will face criminal charges. It is also unknown if any of the passengers were armed at the time of the incident.
A spokesperson for Miami-Dade’s Department of Transportation and Public Works clarified that transit operators are prohibited from carrying firearms. “Transit operators are not allowed to be armed,” the spokesperson stated. “This morning’s incident aboard a Metrobus remains under investigation, and the Department of Transportation and Public Works is fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
The incident has left the community shaken, with many expressing grief and frustration over the tragic loss of life. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, chair of the county’s Transportation Committee, shared her sorrow over the shooting.
“Another example of why people shouldn’t have guns,” Higgins told the Miami Herald. “Two people would still be alive today if there had been a shouting match rather than a shooting match. I’m heartbroken.”
A witness who was leaving a nearby store at the time of the shooting described hearing six gunshots.
“I don’t know who was hit, I don’t know why they were hit, but I do not like the violence that’s going on in my neighborhood,” the witness told NBC 6 South Florida. “This is a beautiful neighborhood.”
Miami Gardens police described the investigation as “fluid,” with more details expected to emerge. Authorities are working to determine what led to the fatal confrontation and whether any policy violations occurred. The tragic incident has reignited conversations about gun violence and public safety in Miami.
