Accused LA bus hijacker faces charges

A man who allegedly hijacked a city bus in Los Angeles last Wednesday, killing a passenger and holding his driver at gunpoint has been charged with murder and kidnapping, authorities said. Lamont Campbell, 51, has been charged with numerous crimes in connection with the kidnapping, including auto theft, assault with a semiautomatic pistol, robbery and being a felon in possession of a weapon, Los Angeles County prosecutors said Monday. Campbell allegedly shot and killed 48-year-old Anthony Rivera, who was on his way home from work. According to the AP, Campbell also allegedly held another passenger at gunpoint and robbed him. The other passenger, who was injured and quickly released, could not be identified.

Prosecutors said Campbell first boarded the Metro bus in South Los Angeles around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 25, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. After forcing the driver to move on at gunpoint, he led the police cars on a slow chase through the city center for an hour before they managed to stop the bus with spikes and carry out a hostage rescue. Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon said at a news conference Monday that Campbell has an extensive criminal record Los Angeles Times reported. Officers also praised bus driver Dennis Contreras for his courage and calm. Campbell will be arraigned on Tuesday. If convicted of all of his charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 90 years and eight months to life in prison.

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