A Miami-Dade Transit bus driver who fatally shot two men during an early morning confrontation has officially resigned from his position, county officials confirmed. The deadly incident, which occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, April 6, 2025, is under investigation by Miami Gardens Police and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
The shooting happened near the intersection of Northwest 183rd Street and Seventh Avenue, outside a shopping plaza in Miami Gardens. According to investigators, an argument began when the driver refused to allow a passenger to board the bus with a Citi Bike, which he allegedly believed was stolen. Tensions escalated when the man reportedly reached into a bag, prompting the driver to open fire.
Witnesses reported hearing up to six gunshots. Two men were struck: 44-year-old Lonnie Harley, the man trying to board, and 46-year-old Ejaash Carter, a bystander already on the bus who was not believed to be involved in the dispute. Both were transported in critical condition to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where they later died from their injuries.
Authorities say Carter may have been hit by a stray bullet. The bus driver, whose identity has not been released due to the ongoing investigation, was initially placed on administrative leave. The Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works stated that the process to terminate the driver began shortly after the incident, but he chose to resign before it was finalized.
Under current Miami-Dade Transit policy, employees are strictly prohibited from carrying firearms while on duty. “Drivers are not allowed to be armed,” a department spokesperson emphasized in a public statement.
The driver was detained and questioned by authorities after the shooting, but has not yet been formally charged. Law enforcement officials and prosecutors are still reviewing the case to determine if criminal charges will be filed in connection with the deadly encounter.
Miami Gardens Police are urging any witnesses or individuals with video footage of the incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers as the investigation continues. The tragic shooting has raised serious questions about safety policies and the responsibilities of public transit employees during confrontational situations.
