Reward offered for shooting RTS bus driver with pellet gun

ROCHESTER, NY — CrimeStoppers of Rochester is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot an RTS bus driver with an air pistol last month.

Rochester police have released a security photo of the person they say shot and struck an RTS bus driver on June 18 at a bus stop on Bay Street. RTS said the driver suffered life-changing injuries from the air pistol shooting.

“Our drivers are out there every day providing an essential service to our community. They don’t leave thinking they won’t be able to get home safely to their families. We train them to provide excellent customer service and to be kind to our customers, especially those who are in crisis. So we’re asking the community to be kind to them and help us identify this person and get the message out that this is not normal and that our drivers are providing an essential service,” said Miguel Velazquez, RTS General Manager.

“The driver’s name is Oscar. The mayor was the first to call the ATU and called Oscar, he was very concerned. I want to thank my ATU members who go to work every day in some of the toughest neighborhoods and have to worry about whether they’re going to get home at night,” said John Trott, President of ATU Local 282.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans called the suspect a coward for shooting a bus driver as he drove people to work, school and medical appointments.

“Those who serve the most vulnerable people in our community should have no reason to fear their clients. Somebody knows who this suspect is. Somebody knows who he is and what he did and somebody needs to come forward with that information and help us make an arrest,” Evans said.

If you have information that could identify the suspect, you are asked to call 311, 911 or CrimeStoppers. A cash reward of $500 to $2,000 is being offered.