2 hurt in shootout between CATS bus driver, passenger near outlet mall

CHARLOTTE — Two people were hurt in a shooting on a public bus as it stopped near a southwest Charlotte outlet mall on Thursday, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Officers with the department said the incident happened around 11:15 a.m. on Outlets Boulevard near the Charlotte Premium Outlets.

Channel 9′s Hunter Sáenz was at the scene of the incident where a Charlotte Area Transit System bus had a bullet hole in one of the windows.

Police say the incident happened on the bus, they have a suspect in custody and there is no active threat.

According to CATS, the incident started when a passenger started a verbal argument with the bus driver. The passenger then pulled out a gun, and the bus operator also pulled out a gun, and they both shot at each other, CATS said.

According to the police report for the incident, the bus driver was the one who called police saying someone fired a gun on his bus.

The bus driver, who is employed by RATP DEV USA, and the passenger haven’t been identified yet.

CATS said in a statement that it’s against policy for an employee to have a weapon on CATS property or while performing their job.

Both guns have been recovered, officials said.

“CATS regrets this tragic accident. All employees’ and riders’ safety and well-being are a top priority and concern,” CATS officials said.

MEDIC said the two people were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Statement from RATP Dev USA:

“RATP Dev USA is aware of the incident that occurred this morning on bus 1030 operating on route #56 at 5404 New Fashion Way near the Charlotte Premium Outlets. RATP Dev USA is actively working very closely with Charlotte PD and CATS on the investigation into the incident. Our number one concern is the health and well-being of our Operator who was injured as well as the safety of all our employees and riders across Charlotte Mecklenburg County.”

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Surveillance video shows moment man shoots into CATS bus with passengers on board)

Surveillance video shows moment man shoots into CATS bus with passengers on board

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