Newly released video shows man allegedly firing a shot inside a CATS bus

CHARLOTTE, NC — A single round was fired inside of a CATS bus. WCCB Charlotte  has new video showing that scary moment on January 30th.

It shows a man walking in, swearing at passengers. He begins yelling at a man wearing headphones. CMPD says their argument started over politics.

The yelling continues, that passenger stands up and not long after the man wearing headphones pulls out a gun and cocks it back.

Two passengers get up and walk towards the front of the bus as the argument continues.

More than a minute into the argument the accused shooter stands up and the argument heats up. The two come face to face

In the video, the shooter tells the other man to back off before appearing to fire a round near the man’s feet. He then walks off the bus. CMPD later caught up to Isaiah Johnson, arresting him on felony gun charges.

This latest act of violence re-emerges the conversation of safety on CATS buses.

“There is no easy fix because we have to look at it from the root,” said Nichel Dunlap-Thompson about safety changes on public transit.

Dunlap-Thompson is a former CATS employee who continues to fight for more protection for drivers and riders. She says she’s noticed less bus assaults since the city switched security companies, but this incident proves work needs to be done.

“This is the reason why we have to have collective conversations. This is the reason why we have to hear from the people that this directly impacts,” explained Dunlap-Thompson.

Philadelphia has been dealing with similar problems to Charlotte for years. They are now testing a pilot program to protect their drivers. Putting bulletproof glass around them. Dunlap-Thompson says this is something our city has talked about ever since the shooting death of Ethan Rivera in 2022.

Johnson is facing four charges including a possession of a gun by a felon and firing a gun in an enclosed space to incite fear.