BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland authorities are investigating the shooting death of a driver for a state transit program serving disabled people.
Police responded to a reported shooting in northeast Baltimore shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday and found 49 year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds to the body. He died a short time later at a local hospital.
Investigators said the victim was an MTA Mobility van driver who was seated inside his vehicle when he was approached by a man who shot him with a handgun. Police said the suspect fled in a tan or beige-colored Ford Crown Victoria or Lincoln Grand Marquee.
The Baltimore Sun reports that a union official identified the victim as Frankye Duckett.
Administrator Kevin Quinn of the Maryland Transit Administration issued a statement saying violence against transit operators needs to stop immediately.
In October, MTA bus driver Marcus Parks was fatally shot while on duty. Months before that, an argument led a rider to allegedly shoot another bus driver in his chest.
Earlier last year, a Baltimore man was charged with shooting and seriously wounding an MTA bus driver after a verbal dispute.
James Earl Grimes Jr. was charged with attempted murder, assault and firearms offenses.
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