UPDATE (Dec. 1):
The Tucson Police Department (TPD) says the attack happened around 11:30 a.m. Nov. 30 at the Laos Transit Center in the southside on Irvington.
The suspect, 27-year-old Godwin Bloomer-Igbokwe, was arrested Monday.
Officers and detectives say they learned that Bloomer-Igbokwe, arrived at the Laos on a public bus and went into the bathroom. The victim was unaware that the suspect was in the bathroom, opened the bathroom door and was immediately hit in the head by the suspect with a metal angle iron.
Police say the victim sustained significant injuries and is still in the hospital. TPD says evidence indicates that the attack was unprovoked.
Officers searched the area but did not find the suspect.
Detectives worked the case extensively and quickly developed a lead on the suspect. On Dec 1, Bloomer-Igbokwe was taken into custody. He has been charged with attempted murder, and two counts of aggravated assault and was booked into the Pima County Jail.
Bryan Valenzuela says he rides the bus everyday and incidents like this are just becoming normal.
“Yeah just earlier, there was somebody right here. They had a disagreement and then they started fighting. Some guy threw the rock at him," Valenzuela described.
He says he sees a lot of homeless people and drug abusers and does his best to stay away from people that may cause trouble.
“Really just kind of stay away from it or kinda like, don’t see nothing, didn’t hear nothing type kinda thing," Valenzuela said.
Mike Sanchez, Business Representative for Teamsters Local 104, says with incidents like this continuing, bus drivers are becoming more worried.
“No one should go to work being fearful. Am I going to make it home, right? Am I going to be involved in a serious, dangerous incident? I think that's what they feel, that's what I get told when I speak to the folks that I represent," Sanchez said.
He says not all passengers are bad, as some are students, but these issues are a big deal.
"You know, the operator who was here yesterday. I spoke to her briefly, and you know, it's traumatic to see the blood, to see the attack and to have to call 911," Sanchez said. Those things are not okay. They're here to drive buses."
Sanchez says they have been ringing the alarm to the management company Sun Tran and attending city council meetings, expressing that the crime is getting worse and something needs to be done.
Sanchez and Valenzuela says resources should be allocated to address the issue, whether that be security and/or mental health resources.
“Two bus drivers too, or someone to occupy the other person cause stuff happens on the bus too," Valenzuela suggested.
For at least the seventh time this year, authorities are investigating a violent attack connected to public transit in Tucson.
Here is the breakdown of some the violent incidents KGUN 9 has covered.
- April 5 - 'This was senseless': Family of downtown hatchet attack victim speaks out
- May 12 - Two sent to hospital after hatchet attack at bus stop on Eastside
- July 9 - UPDATE: Interim complaint offers details on alleged brutal bus attack downtown
- July 25 - UPDATE: Complaint said woman stabbed man on bus because she was 'jealous'
- Sept. 9 - Sun Tran driver assaulted at Udall Park bus stop, police said
- Oct. 14 - Suspect who allegedly fired gun inside Sun Tran bus after argument identified
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Tucson Police say someone was left with "serious injuries" after an attack at the Laos Transit Center on Irvington Road.
The victim was then taken to a hospital, the suspect left the scene and has not been found.
As of now the investigation remains ongoing.
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