A North Carolina bus driver got into a shootout with a passenger while traveling along a designated route … and the violent encounter was caught on video.
David Fullard was behind the wheel of a Charlotte Area Transit System bus when Omarri Tobias approached and asked to be let off between stops. The two began to argue after Fullard said Tobias would have to wait until the next stop, prompting each to whip out guns.
Check out surveillance footage from inside the bus, which shows the men aiming their firearms at one another and squeezing off shots at close range.
Tobias was hit in the stomach, but he managed to crawl to the back of the bus. Fullard, who was struck in the arm, stopped the bus and continued to fire at Tobias. But, Tobias was able to slither out the side door to safety.
Both men were treated for their injuries and expected to make a full recovery. Two other passengers aboard the bus were unharmed.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police arrested Tobias and charged him with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries, communicating threats and carrying a concealed firearm.
Fullard has not been criminally charged … but he was fired by RATP Dev, which employs transit system bus drivers in the region.
The Charlotte Area Transit System said Fullard failed to follow proper procedure, explaining he should have de-escalated the situation by allowing Tobias to exit the bus before arriving at the next stop.
Fullard’s attorney said his client was a dedicated, 19-year employee and called for enhanced security measures for all bus drivers following the May 18 shootout.
