CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An investigation is underway after a man was stabbed multiple times on a Charlotte Area Transit System bus Wednesday afternoon, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
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Bus 2675 was traveling on East Sugar Creek Road around 2:30 p.m. when the stabbing happened, according to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). A fight broke out between two passengers which resulted in one passenger stabbing the other.
Witnesses told WCNC Charlotte's Julia Kauffman they saw a man heavily bleeding as he got off the bus. After walking away from the bus, witnesses said he collapsed on the ground, and they called 911. It’s unclear what led up to the attack onboard.
On Thursday, Charlotte Crime Stoppers released surveillance photos showing the suspect. Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the man. They ask anyone who recognizes him to call 704-334-1600.
Wednesday's stabbing is at least the sixth violent crime WCNC Charlotte has reported in the last six months on or near CATS property.
In May, a man was stabbed on the Gold Line, and there was also a shootout between a CATS bus driver and rider onboard.
In June, a fight on the Blue Line led to a reported stabbing on the tracks.
In August, there was a fight on a CATS bus on Briar Creek Road and in September, a security guard shot and killed someone near the Transit Center in Uptown.
For some riders, this latest stabbing is the last straw.
"Sometimes a lot of crazy people be in the train, you know?" Jonathan Baez said. "And seeing this stuff happen now makes me ride my car more."
Earlier this year, CATS leadership laid out plans to beef up security and training for staff.
Community activist Glencie Rhedrick thinks messaging for riders could help too.
"Perhaps within CATS’ own communication system they can open up dialogue because they need the riders and the riders need CATS," Rhedrick said.
Part of CATS security efforts include having ambassadors on buses to deal with issues instead of drivers.
It’s unknown at this time if one was present in this latest incident.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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