An investigation is underway after a bus driver was stabbed multiple times in Escondido on Wednesday night, police said.
The Escondido Police Department identified Mario Joseph Felix as the suspect who started stabbing the bus driver after demanding his wallet at the Valley Parkway Transit Center at about 8:50 p.m.
A couple was sitting on a bench at the transit center when a man pulled out a knife and threatened one of them with it, Sgt. Russ Whitaker said from the EPD said.
A 911 caller told police the suspect followed the couple onto a bus and was actively stabbing the bus driver in the torso, police said.
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Felix ran away before officers arrived, police said. He was later found hiding before the Barnes & Noble at West Valley Parkway and Tulip Street, Whitaker said. A knife was found nearby.
Police say they shot the suspect with a sponge round because he was not complying. He was detained and later arrested after being identified by witnesses as the suspect, according to the department.
The bus driver was found near the transit center with multiple stab wounds, police said. He was treated at the scene and transported to Palomar Medical Center. He's expected to survive.
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Felix has an extensive criminal history, according to EPD, including two prior convictions for assaults on Escondido police officers. He was on probation at the time of the most recent stabbing.
Felix was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of attempted murder, robbery, resisting arrest and probation violation. He’s being held without bond.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System said in a statement that it’s aware of Wednesday night's stabbing and it's working with police to investigate.
