A Los Angeles man who killed a Metro driver shortly after boarding a bus in West Hollywood with a shotgun was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elden S. Fox also imposed a 25-year-to-life term on Anthony Craig Chambers, who was convicted last March of first-degree murder for the May 20, 2012, shooting death of 51-year-old Alan Thomas.
Jurors also found true a special circumstance allegation of murder of a bus driver in the performance of his duties, along with an allegation that Chambers had discharged a shotgun. The first jury deadlocked on whether
Chambers, 44, was sane or insane at the time of the crime. On Feb. 6, the second jury to hear the sanity phase portion of the trial found that Chambers was sane when he committed the crime.
Shortly after getting on the bus, Chambers pulled a shotgun out of a suitcase, approached the driver and shot him twice. A motive for the shooting was unknown.
“He waited for the perfect time,” Deputy District Attorney Marna Miller said, noting that the bus driver was pulling away from the curb and thatcChambers had let two other buses, including one with a female driver, pass by
before boarding Thomas’ bus.
Chambers was detained after he was seen climbing out of the window of the bus on Santa Monica Boulevard west of La Cienega Boulevard.
You have no idea the sadness at the MTA experienced. As a RTD Bus Operator I was attacked twice for no reason at all. And getting out of the seat to defend one’s self could result in termination. I don’t know if it’s the union or the MTA but the Bus Operators should be in protective cages much like the rail operators.
I remember the Sunday sadly. My prayers and comfort to both families. All comments i hear was that the driver was a great guy.
That was such a sad day. Senseless murder. My heart ached for that man and his family.