It was eight rounds of gunfire that ended a bus fare dispute at a downtown Decatur MARTA station.
The shooting left 47-year-old bus operator Leroy Ramos dead.
“Let’s be clear about it, this is what this is about — $2.50. This man can no longer go home to his family,” former MARTA bus driver Labarron Morgan said.
Cell phone video recorded by a witness showed Ramos getting into an argument with three teenagers who refused to pay the bus fare.
One teen threatened to spit on Ramos, while another MARTA employee is seen holding Ramos back before the teen in a red hoodie pulled out a gun and shot Ramos several times.
MARTA sent Channel 2 Action News statement saying:
“MARTA has a strict de-escalation policy designed to protect operators from violence that includes not engaging with customers beyond the scope of their position as bus operator and leaving enforcement of rules to MARTA Police.
“All operators receive de-escalation training during their onboarding process and continued training and education throughout their employment.”