A Metro train service mechanic was shot and killed when he intervened to protect one of the passengers who was being threatened by a gunman, early Wednesday morning, February 1, at the Potomac Avenue station, southeast from Washington, DC.
The heroic worker was identified by the company as Robert Cunningham, 64, who worked as a mechanic in the system's power department.
"On behalf of the Metro Board of Directors, words cannot express how saddened we are to learn of the death of Mr. Cunningham," said Metro Chairman of the Board Paul Smedberg.
“Our heroic employee acted with extreme courage to help a customer who was being threatened by the shooter,” he added.
After this event, the gunman tried to enter a train, but was approached by risky passengers before being arrested. In all, two people were being treated for leg injuries and a third victim sustained a finger injury.
Metropolitan Police detectives believe the gunman followed one of the bus passengers and shot him in the leg before entering the station.
"He was walking around, brandishing a firearm and just engaging people in random conversation, clearly he was agitated about something," DC Police Deputy Chief Executive Ashan Benedict said, addressing the media Wednesday morning. .
Joining Benedict and Mayor Muriel Bowser at a news conference, Metro General Manager Randy Clarke called it a "sad day" for the public transportation provider.
The Potomac Avenue station reopened to commuters around 4 p.m. Wednesday following a police investigation.
