California bus driver killed after shift leaves behind wife, 2 young sons

A California bus driver gunned down after his shift was a newlywed dad of two young boys who “LOVED being a father,” according to his grieving family.Bruce Rodriquez, 42, had a 3-year-old son he was already teaching to play baseball and a 6-month-old baby boy with his wife, Sandy, according to a GoFundMe set up to support the family.Rodriguez was the primary provider for the household and also helped care for his elderly parents, who shared the family home.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story “Bruce LOVED being a father,” his family wrote.He and Sandy were newlyweds building a life together when his death abruptly changed everything they had been planning.Rodriguez, a longtime Culver CityBus driver, was shot shortly after 5 p.m.Thursday near Centinela and Mitchell avenues along the Culver City-Los Angeles border, police said.

The 12-year veteran had just finished his shift when the confrontation turned deadly.LAPD Capt.Eric Eppolito told NBC LA that the passenger was intoxicated and that the altercation was apparently over directions.

Rodriguez was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.Police arrested 55-year-old Jose Zayas Friday afternoon in connection with the killing.Zayas was taken into custody at 2:07 p.m.

in the 3600 block of Motor Avenue and booked into a local jail on suspicion murder.His bail was set at $3 million.“FBI Violent Crime Apprehension Task Force assisted West Bureau Homicide in locating and arresting a suspect in the brutal murder of a Culver City bus driver,” LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division announced Friday evening, according to KTLA.The arrest came after police initially said the suspect had fled the scene on foot or by bicycle.

No weapon was recovered at the scene, according to police.Rodriguez was rememb...