One person has died following an incident in which a Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus was hijacked. The driver was forced to flee from police at gunpoint before authorities managed to apprehend the suspect, according to law enforcement officials.

The situation unfolded around 12:45 a.m. when the Los Angeles Police Department received reports of a disturbance on a bus near the intersection of Manchester Street and Figueroa Street in southern Los Angeles, as stated by Deputy Chief Donald Graham during a briefing on Wednesday morning.

Initial reports indicated a possible assault involving a weapon. Officers later found the bus stationary at 117th Street and Figueroa Street. However, when the LAPD attempted to approach the bus, it began to drive away, leading to a pursuit that lasted about an hour and ended in the downtown area.

At approximately 2:10 a.m., police were able to stop the bus at Alameda Street and 6th Street by deploying spike strips that punctured one of its tires.

Authorities reported that there were two passengers on board, along with the driver and the suspect. A SWAT team was called in to assist with the hostage situation and successfully rescued the driver and one passenger, according to Graham.

The suspect surrendered without incident and was taken into custody. However, as police were clearing the bus, they discovered the second passenger had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. This victim was transported to a local hospital but later succumbed to injuries. The driver and the other passenger declined medical treatment, officials noted.

The investigation is currently ongoing.