A 55-year-old man has been charged with fatally shooting Bruce Rodriguez, a Culver CityBus driver last week in Culver City.
“Bruce Rodriguez was a valued colleague, a beloved father and husband who was tragically killed by a passenger aboard his bus,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “People relied on him every day to get them to where they needed to go. Our transit systems must be safe for every driver, commuter and community member, and this office will hold individuals fully accountable if they brazenly and violently break the law and shatter that sense of safety.”
“The filing of charges by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office marks an important step toward accountability and justice following the tragic loss of a deeply valued member of our Culver CityBus team,” said Culver City Manager Odis Jones. “We are grateful to the Culver City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and our law enforcement partners for their diligence and coordination throughout this investigation. Our hearts remain with the victim’s family, loved ones, colleagues and the entire Culver CityBus team as we continue to honor the life and service of our colleague.”
Jose Antonio Zayas of Los Angeles was charged yesterday in case 26CJCF06371 with one count of murder with the special circumstance allegation of murder of transportation personnel and a special allegation that he personally used a firearm. He also faces one count of a felon in possession of a firearm.
Zayas made his initial court appearance yesterday but arraignment was continued to November 5 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. He is being held on no bail.
On Oct. 1, 2026, at about 5 p.m., Zayas boarded a Culver CityBus driven by 42-year-old Bruce Rodriguez. Zayas approached Rodriguez and asked him to stop the bus so he could exit, but Rodriguez was unable to because of heavy traffic and the position of the bus on South Centinela Avenue.
Zayas allegedly then fired a handgun multiple times, killing Rodriguez. Zayas grabbed his bike from the front rack of the bus and fled. He was found the next day and arrested.
If convicted as charged, Zayas faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott of the Major Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This release was originally issued by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
