NYPD: MTA inspectors shot at after dispute over bus ticket in Brooklyn
NEW YORK -- An argument over a bus ticket ended with a group of MTA workers being shot at by a passenger in East New York, Brooklyn on Tuesday morning. At least one person was hurt.
Police are still searching for the suspect.
Crime scene tape wrapped around the bus stop at Louisiana and Flatlands avenues, where police say gunfire erupted over a bus fare dispute.
"I think it's horrible. Over $2.75," one person said.
It all started at 6 a.m. Three inspectors part of the MTA's Eagle Team, whose goal is to stop fare evasion, got on the B-82 bus. It's a select service that requires a special ticket. The inspectors asked passengers for proof of payment, but told police one man got angry and refused.
"For some reason, [he] didn't want to pay the fare. They did their job. They asked him to get off the bus and, low and behold, he produced a .45 and took shots at our employees. I can't put up with that. The MTA won't put up with that," MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said.
Sources say the MTA workers dove to the ground. One was grazed by a bullet and treated.
Police say the shooting happened on the sidewalk. The bus had already pulled away so no one else was hurt.
The suspect took off and, at this point, there's no description of him, though police do have video of him from inside the bus. They are working to identify him.
On Tuesday afternoon, cops could be seen collecting evidence where one bullet hit a tree. Another bullet grazed the ticket machine.
Passengers boarding the B-82 said they're on edge but have no choice but to ride.
"It's very dangerous. It is. The subway, also, is very dangerous. You don't know who's coming in, going out," one person said.
"It's public transportation, so I gotta do it. Gotta get on," another said.
Meanwhile, the MTA says people skipping out on paying fares costs the agency tens of millions of dollars each year.
"Fare evasion has gone up dramatically and we are concerned about it. Having unarmed but uniformed officers, agents, in this case, in the system is part of our strategy," Lieber said.
Riders say they also hope the special Eagle Teams will increase safety in the transit system.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
