A man in Atlanta, aged 39, is facing a slew of criminal charges after allegedly hijacking a commuter bus, fatally shooting one person, and leading police on a chase through three counties. The suspect, identified as Eric Grier, was apprehended in suburban DeKalb County and is currently held without bond at Fulton County Jail.
The incident unfolded when Atlanta police responded to reports of gunfire and a possible hostage situation on the bus. The suspect, upon being confronted by an officer, compelled the bus driver to flee the scene, initiating a dramatic chase that spanned multiple jurisdictions.
During the pursuit, the bus collided with several vehicles and even veered onto the wrong side of the road as law enforcement officers trailed behind. Ultimately, the bus was intercepted in DeKalb County, where Grier was taken into custody.
Authorities discovered 17 individuals on the bus, including the driver. Tragically, one adult passenger was found with a gunshot wound and succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a hospital. The victim's identity has not been disclosed at this time.
Prior to the bus hijacking, the suspect was allegedly involved in a separate shooting incident at a downtown Atlanta food court. In that earlier episode, the suspect reportedly shot three individuals before being subdued by an off-duty police officer. Fortunately, all parties involved in the food court shooting are expected to recover from their injuries.
Grier now faces a litany of charges, including murder, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and weapons-related offenses. The suspect's arraignment is pending as he remains in custody.
