A female bus driver has been praised for her ‘quick actions’ when she made a split-second decision to drive on the wrong side of the road after a convicted criminal, 34, opened fire on the Fort Lauderdale bus, killing two and injuring two others.
Jamal J. Meyers, 34, has nine charges pending after he opened fired on Fort Lauderdale bus on Thursday – including a probation violation, according to court records.
The bus driver was caught on surveillance footage barreling over a median and onto the wrong side of the road in an attempt to direct the vehicle to a police station after she heard gunshots ring out on the bus.
She crashed into an SUV and a taxi – victims in those cars walked away with minor injuries – before pulling up to the front doors of the Fort Lauderdale Police station.
An officer who was standing outside saw the bus driving the wrong way on Broward Boulevard around 3:30 p.m. and heard gunshots, alerting other cops of the incoming trouble. The bus driver also radioed police that she was headed their way.
As a result of the bus driver’s quick thinking, cops were able to arrest the shooter immediately.
Meyers has been formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He also faces four previous charges that are currently pending.
He is currently being housed in Fort Lauderdale’s main jail without bond as he awaits his next court appearance. It’s unclear why he opened fire on the bus.
Jamal J. Meyers, 34, is being held without bond in Fort Lauderdale’s Jail after he shot four people, killing two, on a public bus on Thursday around 3.30pm
A female bus driver, who was not identified by police, was driving the 22 bus (pictured at the police station) when Meyers started shooting at passengers. She made a split-second to drive on the wrong side of the road to get to the Fort Lauderdale Police station
‘The driver then forced the county bus past the vehicle that was blocking her and forced its way into the front of the police station,’ FLPD Acting Chief Luis Alvarez told WSVN.
Witnesses told WSVN he saw the event happen and knew something was wrong.
‘I was outside, and I just saw the bus driving on the wrong side of the road, and once it passed 11th Avenue, I’m like: “Why are they driving on the wrong side of the road?” The bus hit one car, then hit the other car, and then it just drove up into the police station. ‘
A man, who was driving eastbound on the road when the bus drove toward him, said: ‘We were driving down the street. We were driving down this way on Broward Boulevard heading east, and we saw the bus coming back west on, the 22 bus, it was driving the opposite direction. I think it was coming from the terminal, and yeah, it was just driving.
Victims, who were also not identified by police, were seen being taken to the hospital
Another victim is seen being put in an ambulance. One victim was found dead on the bus, while another died at the hospital. Another victim is said to be listed in critical condition
They were taken to the Broward Health Medical Center (pictured) and Meyers was also treated there before being taken to jail
We tried to move out of the way as fast as possible. I got my babies in the car and everything inside. I tried to get out as fast as I can. I told my girl: “I think something happened inside the bus,” witness Major Harris said. ‘We trying to move out the way as fast as possible. I got our babies in the car and everything. I tried to get out the way fast as I can.’
Darnell Coles, who was in the taxi that was hit by the bus and has minor injuries, said: ‘I was riding in the taxi and all of a sudden we came to a stop and then I looked and the bus was coming towards us.
‘Once I looked back and I seen the bus turn into the police station, I knew it had to be a serious situation. It’s really bad how people out here hurting each other. It’s so serious, man.’
Upon arrival, officers rushed to the bus with guns drawn and were able to arrest Meyers on the bus and took him into custody after he surrendered.
One person was found dead on the bus and three where rushed to Broward Health Medical Center, where another victim succumbed to their injuries. One of the surviving victims is said to be in critical condition. Authorities have not released the names of the victims at this time.
The bus (pictured) jumped the median and started driving eastbound on Broward Boulevard after the driver heard gunshots
She hit two vehicles in her wake, but those victims only suffered mild injuries
Police, who knew she was on her way, came out of the station with guns drawn and arrested Meyers (pictured lower right) on the scene and escorted passengers off the bus
Paramedics did treat some of the victims on the scene, and blood can be seen standing the ground.
It has been reported that Meyers was also taken to the hospital before being transported to the main jail.
Alvarez praised the driver for her actions that ‘saved lives.’ He said: ‘I can tell you that the bus driver in this particular case, her quick actions, I am sure, saved lives, so kudos to her. She deserves to be applauded for her actions.’
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