Suspect in Atlanta bus hijacking threatened the driver with a gun during pursuit, reports state; details on the pursuits' events.
About a mile away, a gunman had seized control of a bus transporting 17 passengers. The situation prompted the passengers to send desperate texts to their loved ones and dial 911 for assistance, law enforcement officials said.
Upon their arrival at the scene, police attempted to approach the gunman, who identified as 39-year-old Joe Grier, a notorious felon. However, Grier held the bus driver hostage at gunpoint and compelled him to continue driving, according to Atlanta Chief of Police Darin Schierbaum.
During the rush-hour police pursuit, the bus weaved uncontrollably between highway lanes and suburban streets, traveling through at least two counties. Grier endangered other vehicles by repeatedly colliding with them and even crossing into oncoming traffic.
During the chase, a passenger managed to maintain contact with 911 while simultaneously updating authorities about the situation. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens described the chaotic scene as resembling a movie, with Grier issuing threats to keep the bus moving under threat of further violence.
The police chase eventually came to an end when the bus came to a halt on a tree-lined street in Stone Mountain. Grier was peacefully apprehended by law enforcement officials.
Following the capture, a passenger who had been shot inside the bus was transported to a hospital, where their condition ultimately deteriorated, resulting in their death. The identity of the victim will be revealed after family members are notified.
Grier possesses an extensive criminal history, with 19 prior felony convictions, according to law enforcement. Lawyers for Grier have yet to be identified by CNN.
Here's a summary of the terrifying events.
The Hijacking's Course of Action
This bus was part of the intricate transit network connecting Atlanta with its surroundings, including Paulette Gilbert, a passenger on board. Gilbert made a panicked phone call to her spouse, Johnny Gilbert, as the hostage situation unfolded.
Paulette Gilbert described a suspicious character who had taken over the bus and escalated the situation into a life-threatening situation. She reported that the gunman had gotten into an altercation with another passenger and had possibly shot them in the leg.
"She said the guy got on the bus and seemed a little nuts," Johnny Gilbert recounted. "He was being disorderly or getting under people's skin," he added, highlighting his wife's state of shock and horror.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., the first 911 call arrived, reporting that a gunman was holding the bus and potentially firing shots. The line then went dead.
Seconds later, the families of another passenger received a text from their relative, who was also a victim of the hijacking.
A nearby police officer arrived within a minute to confront the gunman. Grier, however, used force to make the bus driver continue driving.
During the entire chase, a passenger communicated with 911, allowing dispatchers to relay real-time information to the law enforcement agencies participating in the pursuit.
The bus ventured down Atlanta's Interstate 85, interrupting traffic while other commuters sped by. It then crossed through numerous suburban zones before coming to a halt in Stone Mountain.
While the bus ravaged other vehicles during the chase, it is unclear whether any drivers sustained injuries.
Law enforcement employed several tactics in an attempt to halt the bus. One such approach involved locating an armored vehicle that could be positioned next to the bus's balding tires, effectively rendering it immobile and thwarting its further movement.
With the bus at a standstill, the passengers disembarked safely. Grier was quickly taken into custody by the police with no resistance. A passenger who had sustained a gunshot wound succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.
A collaborative investigation into the hijacking will be initiated by the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
CNN's Steve Almasy contributed to the report.
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Following the incident, US law enforcement agencies expressed concern about the potential connection between the suspect's criminal history and organized crime networks within the country.
