Latest news with #LAMetro
CBS News
26-06-2025
- CBS News
Man pleads not guilty to Metro bus passenger's fatal shooting
The 51-year-old man who is accused of shooting and killing a Metro bus passenger after hijacking the bus and leading police on a slow-speed pursuit through South Los Angeles pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday. Lamont Campbell faces counts of murder, carjacking, and kidnapping as part of a dozen felony charges filed against him in connection with the Sept. 25, 2024 incident. At an evidentiary hearing earlier this month, the driver of the bus testified that he "said goodbye to my family" as the bus came to a stop after the police pursuit, saying that he was worried about a possible standoff and shooting after a nearly hourlong ordeal with the gunman. Campbell boarded the Metro bus around 12:45 a.m. at the corner of Figueroa Street and Vernon Avenue in South LA before pulling out a gun and allegedly shooting passenger Anthony Rivera. The 48-year-old Los Angeles resident was riding the bus to get home from work. Family members said he had just finished a shift at Dodger Stadium that night. Campbell allegedly shot Rivera multiple times before threatening the driver. Rivera died later at a hospital from his wounds. LA Metro said earlier that another passenger was injured while trying to flee. The LA Metro driver was allegedly held at gunpoint for over an hour with "Emergency" and "911 Call Police" flashing on the bus's front light display as the suspect ordered him to drive, triggering a slow police pursuit. The driver managed to reach police by pressing a 911 emergency button on the bus. He said he bypassed bus stops with passengers who had been waiting to board and honked to alert oncoming vehicles about the bus. He testified he stopped at the final stop on the route, opened the doors for passengers to exit, but he said no one moved because they were in shock. He said the gunman told him to close the doors and to keep rolling. At one point, the gunman allowed one passenger to leave the bus but ordered another to remain aboard, and at another point, he was eating and playing music on his cell phone, the bus driver said. Police laid down two spike strips, and the bus was disabled and came to a stop after a 45-minute pursuit. Campbell allegedly barricaded himself in the bus, leading SWAT officers to shoot bean bags and stun grenades, ultimately taking him into custody. Campbell, who allegedly has a string of drug-related convictions dating back as far as 1993, has remained behind bars since his arrest. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 26.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- CBS News
Man charged with killing Metro passenger in bus hijacking ordered to stand trial
The man who is charged with shooting and killing a Metro passenger as he allegedly hijacked a bus and led police on a slow South Los Angeles pursuit last year has been ordered to stand trial on murder and other charges. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sean D. Coen found there was "sufficient cause" to allow the case against Lamont Campbell, 51, to proceed to trial. The decision came after Thursday's hearing that included testimony from the bus driver and two of the passengers. Campbell faces counts of murder, carjacking, and kidnapping as part of a dozen felony charges filed against him in connection with the Sept. 25, 2024 incident. Prosecutors said earlier that Campbell had boarded the bus at the corner of Figueroa Street and Vernon Avenue in South LA before pulling out a gun and opening fire on passenger Anthony Rivera. The 48-year-old Los Angeles resident and victim was riding the bus to get home from work. Family members of Rivera said he had just finished a shift at Dodger Stadium that night. Campbell allegedly shot Rivera multiple times before threatening the driver. LA Metro said earlier that another passenger was injured while trying to flee. The LA Metro driver managed to reach police by pressing a 911 emergency button on the bus. He was allegedly held at gunpoint for over an hour with "Emergency" and "911 Call Police" flashing on the bus's front light display as the suspect ordered him to drive, triggering a slow police pursuit. During Thursday's testimony, the bus driver Dennis Contreras said he bypassed bus stops with passengers who had been waiting to board and honked to alert oncoming vehicles about the bus. At one point, the gunman allowed one passenger to leave the bus but ordered another to remain aboard, and at another point, he was eating and playing music on his cell phone, the bus driver said. Police laid down two spike strips and the bus came to a stop in downtown Los Angeles after a 45-minute pursuit. Campbell allegedly barricaded himself in the bus, leading SWAT officers to shoot bean bags and stun grenades, ultimately taking the suspect into custody. Contreras testified that he "said goodbye to my family" after the bus came to a stop after the police pursuit, saying that he was worried about a possible standoff and shooting. Officers broke the driver's side window and pulled him through it to safety. Campbell, who allegedly has a string of drug-related convictions dating back as far as 1993, has remained behind bars since his arrest. He is due back in court for arraignment on June 26.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opens after completion of construction
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)/Metro Transit Center Station development in Los Angeles (LA), US, has opened following the completion of construction, aimed at connecting the LA Metro's C and K rail lines. The station is a key component in the city's efforts to alleviate car traffic at LAX and encourage the use of public transit over taxis, rideshares, or private vehicles. It was designed by international architecture practice Grimshaw, along with architect of record and landscape architect Gruen Associates, and engineered by Arup. The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station is a pivotal element of the Landside Access Modernization Program at LAX. Grimshaw's LA studio managing partner Andrew Byrne said: 'The Metro Transit Center Station transcends the typical function of a transit hub, emerging as a significant civic landmark and gateway to the city's transport network. 'A hub of multimodal activity, the station also exemplifies the importance of thoughtful infrastructure to accelerate the necessary shift in our cities: fostering economic vitality and equity and improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike as Los Angeles moves towards a more sustainable and connected future.' The station, located at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street, spans over 1,100ft and features the widest light rail platform in the Metro system, offering secure and accessible connections to various destinations across LA County. The design of the station prioritises the integration of different transit options. The design is accentuated by spacious above-grade concourses with natural light and ground-level bus bays set within a landscaped public plaza. The station's design is also stated to embrace California's coastal climate, utilising passive features such as shading, natural daylighting, and ventilation. Sustainability has been a key focus of the station, which incorporates solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, infrastructure for future electric vehicle (EV) bus charging, and is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification. The development includes other public spaces designed to offer respite within the transit environment, with drought-tolerant native planting to increase biodiversity. Arup principal Simon Rees said: 'The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will help relieve congestion and enable sustainable and equitable access to the airport without the need to drive into the central terminal area.' The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station is expected to significantly improve the travel experience for visitors of major upcoming cultural events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl LXI, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opens after completion of construction" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VenHub Launches 24/7 AI-Powered Smart Store at Metro Transit Center at LAX, Leading the Next Era of Autonomous Retail in Travel and Transportation
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 6, 2025) - VenHub Global, Inc. ("VenHub" or the "Company"), a leader in fully autonomous, AI-powered retail, unveiled its flagship Smart Store at the LAX/Metro Transit Center at Los Angeles International Airport. The Smart Store brings secure, frictionless, and fully automated retail convenience to millions of travelers and transit riders moving through Los Angeles each year. Launched in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the installation places VenHub at the forefront of smart retail infrastructure as Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world. A Bold Step Toward Smarter Cities "Retail should work for people, not the other way around," said Shahan Ohanessian, Founder & CEO of VenHub. "Launching our Smart Store at the Metro Transit Center at LAX represents much more than a store opening. It's about giving people access to what they need, exactly when they need it, with safety and simplicity built into every interaction. Whether you're a traveler heading to the terminal, a commuter catching a connection, or a parent needing essentials after hours, VenHub is ready to serve. Always open, always secure, and always designed around the customer." Ohanessian added, "Being first is not just a milestone, it's a responsibility. As leaders in unattended retail, it's our obligation to keep pushing the edge of what's possible. With over $300 million in Smart Store pre-orders across the U.S. and growing demand from enterprise partners around the world, we are scaling our production capacity to meet this extraordinary demand. What is VenHub? VenHub is a fully autonomous, AI-powered Smart Store that can be installed in under seven days and operates 24/7 without staff. Using robotics, machine vision, and IoT, each unit delivers a safe, secure, and lightning-fast shopping experience - completing transactions in as little as 90 seconds. Whether fixed or mobile, VenHub's Smart Stores intelligently adapt inventory and merchandising based on location, customer behavior, and time-of-day demand, setting a new standard for access, convenience, and future-ready retail. Caption: VenHub launches Smart Retail Store at LAX/Metro Transit Center at Los Angeles International Airport June 6, 2025. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: A Smart Partnership with LA Metro This launch marks VenHub's first deployment in partnership with LA Metro, with additional locations already being planned across Southern California. These Smart Stores will serve transit-connected communities across the region, offering a retail experience that is fast, secure, and completely contactless, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. "Metro is committed to enhancing every step of our customers' journeys, and that includes the moments they spend in our stations," said Jennifer Vides, Chief Customer Experience Officer. "Partnering with VenHub at the LAX/Metro Transit Center station reflects our focus on innovation and our Board's directive to explore retail and other station-based amenities that improve the overall rider experience. VenHub's 24/7, AI-powered smart retail technology is a forward-thinking solution that adds convenience, engagement, and value to our customers as they travel the Metro system." This partnership underscores the power of combining public infrastructure with private innovation to elevate everyday convenience for millions of people. Launch Event Recap On June 6, VenHub welcomed the public, government officials, and partners to its grand opening at the Metro Transit Center at LAX. Attendees interacted with the Smart Store, placed live orders, explored the robotics system in action, and met the team behind the platform. Cannot view this video? Visit: About VenHub VenHub is building the retail infrastructure of the future. With a bold vision to modernize access to goods and services, VenHub delivers scalable, autonomous Smart Store technology across the U.S. and beyond. From major metro regions to rural towns, fixed units to mobile deployments, VenHub brings automation, intelligence, and convenience wherever people need it. VenHub's AI-powered Smart Stores operate 24/7 with no on-site employees, adapting dynamically to customer behavior, local conditions, and operator settings. With a focus on safety, speed, and scalability, VenHub is setting the new global standard for retail that never sleeps. Following its Southern California expansion, VenHub is preparing deployments for transit hubs and commercial sites in major cities across North America, the Middle East, and Europe. To learn more, visit: Safe Harbor Statement VenHub, a division of VenHub Global, Inc. ("VenHub" or the "Company"), may make forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial perrmance of the Company in press releases, presentations, conference calls, or other"believes," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," or other words conveying future outcomes or projections. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and beyond the Company's control. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to changes in general economic conditions, the Company's ability to execute its business strategy, competitive pressures, unanticipated manufacturing or supply chain issues, compliance with regulatory requirements, and other risks detailed in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nothing in these forward-looking statements should be regarded as a representation by VenHub or its management that the Company's objectives or plans will be achieved. VenHub undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Press Contact: Alyssa Barry, Alliance Advisors604-997-0965abarry@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Los Angeles brush fire injures 1, shuts down Metro line
A brush fire that broke out in the San Fernando Valley Wednesday afternoon injured one person, caused a shutdown of an LA Metro line and encroached on structures before forward progress was stopped. The Balboa Fire was first reported around 12:20 p.m. near the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex on the 6400 block of North Balboa Blvd. in Van Nuys. According to the Watch Duty app, the fire initially had burned about 1.5 acres and was spreading to the north with a potential threat to structures. Multiple palm trees were involved in the blaze, which Watch Duty reporter Grant Miles said was being driven by the topography of the area. A full brush fire response was requested by the Los Angeles Fire Department, which was providing water drops and working to establish a hose line around the fire on the ground. By around 12:55 p.m., forward progress had been stopped with structure protection in place. The fire had scorched more than four acres by the time firefights stopped its momentum. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the structure of most concern was for the Army Recruiting Battalion nearby. The structure itself was protected, but vehicles in the parking lot were still at risk of igniting, officials said. The Metro G Line, the dedicated bus rapid transit line previously known as the Orange Line, is currently shut down due to the fire. The closure is in place from Woodley to White Oaks avenues, LAFD said. One person, a civilian, suffered burn injuries and was being treated by paramedics at the scene. The severity of their injuries is unclear at this time. The brush fire comes as much of Los Angeles County, including the entirety of the San Fernando Valley, is under a heat advisory from the National Weather Service. Check back for details on this developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
