SEPTA bus driver killed in Germantown shooting

A woman shot and killed a SEPTA driver after getting off a bus Tuesday morning in Germantown, authorities said.

Transit officers apprehended a suspect near the scene shortly after the shooting, which occurred at around 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Abbottsford Road, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said.

The suspect, who had been riding the Route 23 bus, stepped out of the vehicle, turned around and opened fire, according to SEPTA. Operator Bernard Gribbin, 48, was struck six times in chest and abdomen, officials said.

Gribbin, a U.S. Army veteran who began working for SEPTA 12 years ago, was rushed to Einstein Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later, Busch said.

Authorities have not identified the female suspect, and Busch said charges are pending. He told Metro that surveillance video from the bus showed no verbal dispute or other altercation prior to the shooting.

Busch said SEPTA will provide resources to grieving employees. Gribbin was stationed at the Midvale bus depot.

District Attorney Larry Krasner said he met last month with labor leaders representing SEPTA workers to spend time at night on the Market Frankford Line and discuss public safety.

“What happened on SEPTA this morning is inexcusable,” he said on X, formerly Twitter. “All Philadelphians have the right to feel safe on public transit, especially those working to provide these essential services to our city.”

Mayor Jim Kenney wrote on social media that he was “appalled” by the killing and thankful that someone was quickly taken into custody.

“This shooting comes just one day after the tragic mass shooting in Maine,” Kenney added. “Our country’s gun violence problem impacts every community, and I urge Congress to find new solutions to protect residents and ultimately save lives.”