Culver CityBus driver's killing: prosecutors charge Jose Antonio Zayas with murder of transportation personnel

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A Culver CityBus at an intersection on Washington Boulevard

If convicted as charged, Jose Antonio Zayas faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The allegations have not been proven in court.

By Alberto Zamudio | The Southbound 105 | Oct. 15, 2026

Prosecutors have charged a man with murder in the shooting death of a Culver CityBus driver on a city street last week, an attack the District Attorney says happened because the driver could not stop the bus quickly enough for a passenger to get off.

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman's office announced Oct. 7 that Jose Antonio Zayas, 55, of Los Angeles, was charged in case 26CJCF06371 with one count of murder with a special-circumstance allegation of murder of transportation personnel, plus a special allegation that he personally used a firearm. He also faces one count of felon in possession of a firearm. These are allegations; Zayas is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

What prosecutors say happened

According to the DA's release, on Oct. 1 at about 5 p.m., Zayas boarded a Culver CityBus driven by 42-year-old Bruce Rodriguez. Zayas allegedly approached Rodriguez and asked him to stop so he could get off. Rodriguez was unable to because of heavy traffic and the bus's position on South Centinela Avenue.

Zayas then allegedly fired a handgun multiple times, killing Rodriguez, grabbed his bike from the front rack of the bus and fled. He was found the next day and arrested, the DA said.

The charges and court dates

Zayas made his initial court appearance Oct. 6, according to the release, but his arraignment was continued to Nov. 5 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. He is being held with no bail.

If convicted as charged, Zayas faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the DA's office said.

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.

Timeline

  • Oct. 1, about 5 p.m.: the shooting aboard the bus on South Centinela Avenue, per the DA.
  • Oct. 2: Zayas was found and arrested, the DA said.
  • Oct. 6: charges were filed and Zayas made his first court appearance.
  • Oct. 7: the DA's office announced the charges.
  • Nov. 5: scheduled arraignment.

The DA's release describes Zayas as a Los Angeles resident who was arrested the day after the shooting and says the bus was blocked by heavy traffic when he asked to be let off. It does not say whether any other passengers were on board or hurt.

What the special circumstance means

The "murder of transportation personnel" special circumstance is the allegation that carries the exposure to life without parole, according to the DA's description of the charge. The release did not elaborate on the legal standard; the allegation will be tested if the case goes to trial.

What officials said

"Bruce Rodriguez was a valued colleague, a beloved father and husband who was tragically killed by a passenger aboard his bus," 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."

Why it matters

The killing of a bus operator on duty raises safety questions for the drivers who run the region's local transit and for the riders who depend on them. The DA's statement frames the charge as a message about transit safety. The release does not describe any prior contact between Zayas and the driver.

The separate firearm count alleges Zayas was a felon in possession of a gun; the release does not describe his criminal history.

What's next

  • Nov. 5: arraignment in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
  • Investigation: LAPD Robbery-Homicide continues to investigate.
  • Case status: Zayas has no bail. Watch the court docket for a plea and a preliminary hearing date.
  • Transit workers: Culver CityBus and its employees have not been quoted in the DA's release.

Want more local news? Read more at The Southbound 105.

Cover photo: Jengod, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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