CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A bus driver was shot by her ex-boyfriend at the Charlotte Transportation Center Monday afternoon, officials said. The couple had a history of violence together, according to court documents.
[CMPD: Man shot during fight at transit center in uptown Charlotte]
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was called to the center in uptown around 12:45 p.m.
Investigators told Channel 9 that the driver was shot several times while people were getting on the bus.
They believe the shooter, T.B. Moss, 57, targeted her because she was his ex-girlfriend.
The victim told police on June 30 Moss “beat me in the face, kick(ed) me in my body (and) threatened to kill me and my family,” according to court documents.
She got a restraining order against Moss the following day.
Police arrested Moss the very next day for violating that order by making telephone contact with her.
He was charged again the day after that when the victim said Moss called her about 100 times.
“Every day I have concerns about safety,” said Kevin Moss, bus driver union representative and driver.
Bus drivers face other dangerous situations that some say also fall on deaf ears.
In a Channel 9 investigation, we highlighted drivers getting attacked.
“Passengers spitting at me, throwing objects at me,” Moss said.
Moss said the union reports issues and seeks resolutions.
“I start with management and it doesn’t seem as if we're getting a lot of assistance as far as dealing with the issues,” Moss said. "We see something. We say something. But we don't get that immediate response."
Eyewitness News reporter Dashawn Brown spoke to a passenger who said he's disappointed about the shooting, but not surprised.
"Unfortunately again this is the world we live in. I'd be more surprised to hear good things than I would bad," said passenger Andre Copeland.
Chopper 9 Skyzoom was overhead as the woman who had been shot was pulled out of a CATS bus.
Officials said the driver was taken to a hospital with injuries but is expected to survive.
(Moss)
Officers could be seen roping off the center with crime scene tape and searching the bus for evidence.
Glass from where the bullet went through the driver's window was scattered on the ground near the bus.
Channel 9 learned Moss tried to run off, but company officers tracked him down near Stonewall and Tryon streets. Police said he had a gun on him that they believe he used in the shooting.
No one else was injured and it's unclear what led up to the shooting.
“Moss has a lengthy, violent criminal history including a prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and several weapons-related charges,” police said.
CHARGES:
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Shooting into an occupied property (four counts)
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Felony domestic violence protective order violation
- Discharge a firearm within the city limits (four counts)
- Resist/delay/obstruct a law enforcement officer
There is a pilot program going on right now, where CATS is testing out shields to offer a buffer between drivers and passengers.
[ [ALSO READ: CATS begins pilot program to protect bus drivers from assaults] ]
It is not on every bus and drivers told Channel 9 you can still get to them so they do not feel safe.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.