WASHINGTON — Metro has enacted a seven-day security detour in the Shepherd Parkway neighborhood of Southeast Washington. The nightly detour after 7 p.m. is happening off Elvans Road SE after several security incidents, including a shooting Friday night.
On Friday, Aug. 2, a man on a W8 Metrobus was shot in the 2400 block of Elvans Road. Metro Transit Police say the man ran off the bus and was found at a nearby apartment complex. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.
Investigators don’t believe the victim was the intended target. Metro Transit Police are reviewing security camera footage from the bus hoping to identify any suspects. So far, no arrests have been made.
News of the shooting and subsequent security detour comes after the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents Metro transit workers, claimed on Twitter that a bus was hijacked over the weekend. The tweet reads “Statement from Local 689 on the bus hijacking over the weekend:” and proceeds with a six-part statement:
We believe that the safety of the operators, the majority of whom are our members, is paramount to a functional and safe system. We are impressing upon WMATA to do everything it can to insure safety of bus operators, including canceling service, if necessary. With this incident, we are reminded of the need for an increased police presence on Metro buses. Bus operators deserve the peace of mind to know that they are safe, so that they can do their job and make it home to their families. Peace of mind is an essential part of a safety culture. All of these safety issues affect both operators and passengers, and for that reason, we all share concern.
Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said no bus had been hijacked this weekend.
“Metro Transit Police and Metrobus officials spoke to ATU Local 689 President Jackie Jeter and informed her of the incident and the planned security detour,” Ly said.
Ly said Metro Transit Police also offered to meet with bus operators to discuss their concerns after Friday’s shooting. Patrols will also be increased in the area.
In an email to WTOP, Ly says Metro only knows of a July 28 incident in which a bus driver was threatened at Savannah Street and 19th Street SE.
