Bus Driver Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Jose Zayas pleaded not guilty on Thursday to the murder of Bruce Rodriguez. Rodriguez was a 42-year-old Culver City bus driver who died after being shot while ending his shift on October 1.

The shooting occurred around 5:15 p.m. near the intersection of Centinela Avenue and Washington Boulevard in Mar Vista. Although the bus operated under the Culver City system, the incident happened within Los Angeles Police Department jurisdiction. Officers found Rodriguez injured at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital where medical staff pronounced him dead.

LAPD investigators stated that Zayas, 55, asked Rodriguez to stop the vehicle so he could alight. Rodriguez told him the bus could not stop due to heavy traffic and its positioning. Zayas then drew a handgun and fired multiple shots at the driver. He retrieved his bicycle from the front rack of the bus and left the area.

Detectives located Zayas using internal surveillance footage from the bus and statements from two passengers who were unharmed. He was arrested outside his apartment in Palms that same evening. A judge later revoked his initial $3 million bail. The LA County District Attorney’s Office charged him with one count of murder. The charge includes a special circumstance allegation for killing transportation personnel and a special allegation for personally using a firearm. He also faces a count for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Nathan J. Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, said Rodriguez was a valued colleague and a father of two. Hochman noted that residents relied on Rodriguez daily for safe transit. He stated that his office would hold individuals fully accountable for breaking the law with violence.

A GoFundMe page established for Rodriguez’s family described him as a transit worker who served the community for 12 years. Zayas is due back in court on January 28, 2027. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.