Greyhound bus shooter assigned courtroom for trial, facing accusation

The trial for Anthony Devonte Williams, the man charged with a fatal shooting on a Greyhound bus in 2020, has been scheduled to take place in Department 2 of Kern County Superior Court in Bakersfield, California. Williams, 37, faces charges of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder. The exact dates for the trial’s opening statements have yet to be determined, however a jury is expected to be selected in the upcoming days.

The incident in question occurred on February 3, 2020, on a bus en route from Los Angeles to the Bay Area. Williams has admitted to bringing a firearm onto the bus, as claimed in court documents. It is reported that he opened fire following an argument with another male passenger as they travelled northbound on Interstate 5, south of Fort Tejon Road.

In the fatal shooting, Lurbis Elena Vence, aged 51, was killed at the scene, having received multiple gunshot wounds. In addition to Vence’s death, another individual was left paralysed from the chest down. Other passengers were also wounded during Williams’s attack, leading to the multiple counts of attempted murder with which he has been charged.

The progress towards Williams’s trial comes four years after the violent attack. The adherence to due process means that upon his trial, if found guilty, Williams will see the consequences of his actions. The coverage of this case serves as an ongoing reminder to the public of such violent incidents and the potential severity of their outcomes.

As the trial moves forward the public, as well as the families and victims impacted by this violent incident, are awaiting the final judgement in hopes of finding closure. With the potential for serious charges, this case represents a critical test of the justice system’s response to violent crime. As with all matters before the court, Williams is presumed innocent until proven guilty.