A California bus driver gunned down after his shift was a newlywed dad of two young boys who “loved being a father,” according to his grieving family.
Bruce Rodriquez, 42, and his wife, Sandy, had a 3-year-old son he was already teaching to play baseball and a 6-month-old baby boy, according to a GoFundMe set up to support the family.
Rodriguez was the primary provider for the household and also helped care for his elderly parents, who shared the family home.
“The love Bruce poured into both boys will stay with them for a lifetime,” his family wrote.
He and Sandy were newlyweds building a life together when his death abruptly changed everything they had been planning.
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Rodriguez, a longtime Culver CityBus driver, was shot shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday near Centinela and Mitchell avenues along the Culver City-Los Angeles border, police said. The 12-year veteran had just finished his shift when the confrontation turned deadly.
LAPD Capt. Eric Eppolito told NBC LA that the passenger was intoxicated and that the altercation was apparently over directions. Rodriguez was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Police arrested 55-year-old Jose Zayas Friday afternoon in connection with the killing. Zayas was taken into custody at 2:07 p.m. in the 3600 block of Motor Avenue and booked into a local jail on suspicion of murder. His bail was set at $3 million.
“FBI Violent Crime Apprehension Task Force assisted West Bureau Homicide in locating and arresting a suspect in the brutal murder of a Culver City bus driver,” LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division announced Friday evening, according to KTLA.
The arrest came after police initially said the suspect had fled the scene on foot or by bicycle. No weapon was recovered at the scene, according to police.
Rodriguez was remembered by his family as warm and easygoing, someone who could get along with anyone and loved making people laugh.
His sister-in-law Kathy Sanchez also told KTLA Rodriguez was known for handing out Hot Wheels cars to younger passengers.
“His priority was always keeping his passengers safe. That was his big thing,” Sanchez said. “He knew how to diffuse a situation … keep people safe.”
Culver CityBus suspended service throughout the weekend to allow employees to grieve.
The fundraiser had raised more than $88,000 as of Saturday afternoon to help cover funeral expenses and support Sandy, their two young sons, and Rodriguez’s parents.
