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Man Accused of Fatally Stabbing Tampa Bus Driver Facing First-Degree Murder Charge

Justin Ryan McGriff has been charged with first-degree murder and resisting arrest without violence

The suspect accused of fatally stabbing a Tampa city bus driver is facing a first-degree murder charge.

Tampa Police Department spokesperson Steve Hegarty told WFLA the suspect stabbed the male driver Saturday afternoon and then ran away. The driver died from his injuries.

Witnesses told police the suspect exited the bus and ran toward Interstate 275. Officers later found a man who fit the description walking on the interstate.

Once the man was approached by officers, he fled and resisted arrest to be later apprehended.

"At this time a man has been charged with resisting arrest. There is no clear motive for the stabbing," police said in a statement.

TPD confirmed that Justin Ryan McGriff, 35, is the man who was charged Saturday with resisting arrest. TPD officers took him into custody shortly after the fatal stabbing of a HART bus driver because McGriff fit the description provided by witnesses.

"We are devastated by the tragic events that took place today involving our HART bus operator. We are working with the Tampa Police Department as they conduct their investigation into this horrific matter," HART CEO Benjamin Limmer said in a statement. "We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the bus operator, as well as to all of our HART colleagues."

McGriff has been charged with first-degree murder and resisting arrest without violence.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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