Lurbis Elena Vence, a 51-year-old woman from Molino, Colombia, tragically lost her life on February 3, 2020, in a shooting incident on a Greyhound bus traveling through Lebec, California. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. as the bus was heading north on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine. Vence was among the passengers when a man, identified as Anthony Devonte Williams, allegedly opened fire inside the bus.
The Kern County Coroner's Office later ruled her death a homicide, confirming that she had been shot multiple times.
The shooting resulted in the death of Vence and injuries to five other passengers. The injured included a 45-year-old Hispanic male, a 39-year-old black female, a 19-year-old Hispanic female, a 49-year-old Hispanic male, and a Hispanic female minor. The bus driver, along with other passengers, managed to disarm Williams, who then voluntarily exited the bus, leaving his weapon behind. Williams was subsequently arrested by the California Highway Patrol and taken into custody without further incident.
Anthony Devonte Williams, 33, faced serious charges following the incident. He was booked into the Kern County Jail on multiple counts, including one count of first-degree murder for the death of Vence and five counts of attempted murder for the injuries inflicted on the other passengers. Williams was held without bail and was scheduled to appear in court on February 13, 2020. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting was ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
The Greyhound bus company expressed their condolences and gratitude towards the passengers and driver for their heroic actions during the crisis. They also pledged full cooperation with the Kern County police in their investigation. The incident left a profound impact on the community, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such violent acts and the importance of swift and coordinated responses in emergency situations.
