Metro is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person who shot two L.A. County Sheriff’s Department deputies in their parked patrol vehicle at the A (Blue) Line’s Compton Station on Saturday evening (Sept. 12).
The deputies were working for Metro’s Transit Services Bureau when the shooting occurred. Both deputies were taken immediately to the hospital and are currently in stable condition.
Metro has worked closely with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department in conducting a full investigation into the incident.
“On behalf of the entire Metro organization, I extend my deep condolences to these deputies and their families during this difficult time,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “The Sheriff’s Department serves a critical role in helping keep L.A. County’s transit system safe and secure for everyone making essential transit trips during this grave pandemic. We hope this small contribution will help to bring the perpetrator to justice.”
Metro will be posting reward notices on A Line trains, at Compton Station and on its website. Those with information about the suspect are encouraged to call 888.950.SAFE (7233) or text 213.788.2777. Alternately, those with information on the suspect can use the Metro Transit Watch App available on iPhone and Android platforms.
Pursuant to Section 53069.5 of the Government Code of the State of California, Metro’s Reward Policy enables the agency to offer a financial reward for information that leads to, among others, the identification, apprehension and conviction of any person whose willful misconduct results in injury or death to any employee/staff member, customer or Board Member.
For more information about reward guidelines, visit metro.net.
Categories: Policy & Funding, Safety
Wow, what a generic and terse statement from Mr. Washington and Metro. I’m more used to his lengthy ruminations and official statements over the past few years on social justice, immigration and police misconduct. But here, with the most serious act of violence on the system in my memory, we get a one-sentence canned response that sounds like something a PR intern wrote on the way to work.
Mr. Washington, two Sheriff Deputies patrolling your transit system were ambushed and shot in the head. You should be at the hospital checking on them. You should be on the news denouncing the violence. You should be outside of St. Francis Medical Center confronting protesters who are chanting that they hope your employees die from their injuries.
Yeah but when operators get assaulted on a daily basis, where were those rewards being offered for the conviction of those bad people? Where were the sheriffs all those times, operators needed help?
Just saying metro, don’t stick your nose somewhere else when you can’t even fix your internal problems.
Step down Phil.
I am as “liberal-minded” as they come, but I simply cannot accept this kind of civic disgrace. The “evil doer” must face justice! These cops minding their own or rather Metro’s (the public’s) business need more tangible support from the community. Frankly, I think, a $25,000 reward (tax free) is not going to get anyone’s attention given the risks that a “whistle blower” takes when dealing with a Capital criminal. Metro always seems to have some “pie-in-the sky” multi-million / multi-billion project going–I can think of a number of them myself. So, use a trickle of that money and raise the reward to $100,000 or more. These cops must really “feel” Metro’s support in a very tangible way. And, a better reward, I think, will reward Metro with better information. I hope these officers come thru this with completely restored health.
Hi Tom;
As of this morning, the reward stands at $200,000, including funds from the LASD, Metro and private donations.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source