Most Dangerous Place In Detroit On A City Bus? Riders Frightened, Cautious After Deadly Stabbing
DETROIT (WWJ) - As police continue their hunt for a woman accused of fatally stabbing another passenger on a Detroit city bus, riders are saying the public form of transportation is one of the scariest places in the Motor City.
The stabbing happened around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday on the city's west side. According to police, the 50-year-old victim initially got into a verbal argument with the 30-year-old suspect. The bus eventually stopped in the area of Grand River Avenue and Rosa Parks Boulevard and as the victim was exiting the bus, things flared up again.
According to reports, the victim apparently "bumped into" the suspect with her walker, at which point the younger woman pulled out a knife and started to repeatedly stab the older woman. The suspect, who was held briefly by another passenger, then fled the scene on foot.
The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The suspect is described as a black female with a dark complexion, about 5'9" tall and 130 pounds. She was wearing a white shirt and black pants at the time.
The Detroit Department of Transportation has added surveillance cameras to many of their buses to deter crime, but it wasn't immediately clear if this bus was outfitted with the cameras. Photos and a video of the suspect were obtained by police from another passenger and witness to the crime.
Marcy Dewberry, a frequent DDOT bus rider, said the cameras only provide a false sense of security.
"It's dangerous on the bus, it's dangerous walking there, on your porches -- it's dangerous period, here in Detroit," she said. "I just watch my surroundings and keep me a little pocket knife in case somebody tries to walk up on me."
Renee Brooks, of Highland Parks, relies on the bus system every day. She's witnessed a fair share of "outrageous" incidents during her travels.
"I seen a guy got on the bus that had some mental issues and he pulled out a machete on the bus, getting mad at the bus driver because he was late," she said. "I got off that bus!"
Chrystal Gee said feeling safe and riding city buses are two things that just don't go together.
"When school is in and you have all those young people on there, they always want to fight. It's all types of crazy crap," she said. "You've got to watch your back at all times and just stay to yourself. You're not on the bus to make friends, you're on there to get to where you've got to go."
Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to contact police at 313-267-4600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
