VTA bus operator shot and killed at Chaboya bus yard

VTA bus operator shot to death at facility

Security was heightened around all VTA facilities, including the Chaboya bus yard in San Jose, hours after a bus operator was shot to death in the parking lot Friday night, authorities said.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - A bus operator of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority was shot and killed on Friday night in the parking lot of the VTA's Chaboya Division bus yard in San Jose, according to officials.

No arrests had been made as of Saturday morning, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, which said on its X account that it was increasing deputies' presence near the bus yard on South Seventh Street, in San Jose.

The Sheriff's Office's Transit Patrol Division provides security for the VTA. The VTA said it was increasing security at all of its facilities.

The shooting occurred at about 9:40 p.m. Friday, according to the VTA.

"I had the pleasure of working with him for the last 7 or 8 years since he was at this division, and we lost a good person. He's a very good individual. I can't recall a negative interaction with him. There [were] times that we played some pool during our split shifts. We're sad for his passing and our prayers are with his family," said President of ATU Local 265 Raj Singh.

He said fellow workers were in shock and searching for answers Saturday.

The Sheriff's Office said there was no ongoing threat to employees or the community. Officials said it appeared to be an isolated incident.

In 2021, a disgruntled employee at the nearby Guadalupe Light Rail Yard on West Younger Avenue shot and killed nine coworkers before killing himself.

"With this incident, it's triggering to some of our folks. We really thought we were getting past some of the stuff from before," added Singh.

Another employee who witnessed the shooting later died of an apparent suicide, according to a report from the California Public Utilities Commission.

The VTA said it was making mental health officials available to employees and their families after Friday's shooting.

"What we have done is really built a strong program working with the union… to actually really provide mental health resources and mental health programs, and making sure that this is a safe environment to come to work," said CEO of VTA Carolyn Gonot.

Santa Clara County supervisor and chair of the VTA board Cindy Chavez said there would be no disruptions to VTA service.

"To the public, I want to reassure you that we are working very hard to make sure all of our services at VTA are safe and available to all of you," Chavez said. "Lastly to our staff, I just want to say how very sorry I am to the employees, and to our senior staff having to go through this again, but also just to say aloud that we really are protecting each other, and thinking about all of our next steps as a community."

Neither the Sheriff's Office nor the VTA identified the victim. The VTA said it would provide no further details.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Office at (408) 808-4500. Tips can be left anonymously at (408) 808-4431.

Bay City News contributed to this report.