Atlanta police have identified Joseph Grier as the alleged hijacker who held a bus driver at gunpoint and took 17 commuters hostage while leading police on a 15-mile chase. Grier was taken into custody without incident after the chase that involved multiple agencies and spanned various jurisdictions. He was booked on several charges including murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, hijacking a motor vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police Chief Darin Schierbaum revealed that Grier had a criminal history with 19 previous arrests and had been released from prison a decade ago. The identity of the slain passenger, Earnest Byrd Jr., was also announced by authorities.
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Grier was previously imprisoned for aggravated assault and possession of a knife during a criminal act. Grier’s family indicated that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and had been battling mental health issues for over a decade. They mentioned that he had stopped following his treatment plan after losing his job and that his behavior had deteriorated as a result. One of Grier’s family members expressed sympathy for the victim’s family but also highlighted that the situation could have been much worse given the number of people on the bus.
The hostage situation on the bus began after Grier got into a fight with another passenger, took their gun, shot the passenger, and threatened others on board. A passenger managed to call 911 discreetly, and another call came from the family of a texted passenger about the hijacking. Police responded to the situation at 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NE, but the bus fled the scene with 17 passengers still onboard. The chase ended near Hugh Howell Road in Stone Mountain after the bus was stopped with spike strips. Video footage captured by news outlets showed the chaos of the chase as the bus hit multiple vehicles before coming to a stop.
During the incident, one passenger was shot and later died from their injuries after being taken to the hospital. No other passengers were harmed during the ordeal. The investigation into the hijacking and hostage situation is ongoing, and authorities continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The police chase took place shortly after another shooting incident at a food court in downtown Atlanta, where an off-duty officer intervened and stopped the gunman. The events have raised concerns about public safety and security in the Atlanta area and highlighted the importance of mental health resources and support for individuals like Grier who struggle with mental illness.
