METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

San Diego MTS confirms shooting victims' identities

Two employees were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third employee was placed on life support and died at the University of California San Diego Medical Center.

March 25, 2009
2 min to read


The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is confirming the names of two of the three employees involved in the shooting incident at the MTS Bus facility located at 100 16th Street during the early morning hours of March 24. 

 

The two employees who were pronounced dead at the scene are:

Ad Loading...

 

-Ben Mwangi. Mr. Mwangi was a maintenance foreman who has worked for MTS since 2007. He was previously a Maintenance Supervisor at National City Transit, which also operated MTS services. Mr. Mwangi was 37 years old.

 

-Lonnie Glasco. Mr. Glasco was a Revenue Technician who worked at MTS for 29 years. Mr. Glasco was 47 years old.

 

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a third employee later died as a result of the shooting. Michael Stevenson, 55, an MTS mechanic for 31 years, was taken to University of California San Diego Medical Center. Stevenson was placed on life support and died at 3 p.m., the Medical Examiner's Office said.

 

“This has been a tragic day for the victims of this incident, and for their families and friends,” said Paul Jablonski, chief executive officer of MTS. “Our hearts and prayers go out to them. This has also been a tragic day for the entire MTS family and for me personally. We are doing all we can for them, and have begun offering employees grief counseling.”

 

MTS has notified all employees that a variety of services will be available to help them deal with the grief and trauma surrounding this event. Grief counselors will conduct group and individual sessions at MTS. Counseling will be available on an ongoing basis.

Ad Loading...

 

“It is important that we are as proactive as possible with our employees,” Jablonski said. “The pain won’t end today and neither will our efforts to help our employees.” 

More Bus

Cover of METROspectives episode with The Bus Coalition
BusMarch 20, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
County and agency officials break ground in front of a red and yellow King County Metro public transit bus.
Busby StaffMarch 20, 2026

Seattle’s King County Breaks Ground on RapidRide I Line to Expand High-Capacity Transit

The 17-mile RapidRide I Line will bring faster, more frequent service and improved regional connections across South King County.

Read More →
paratransit bus
SponsoredMarch 16, 2026

Measuring the True Cost of Paratransit Fleets

What truly drives the cost of a paratransit fleet? Beyond the purchase price, seven operational factors quietly determine maintenance frequency, downtime, and long-term service reliability. This whitepaper explores how these factors shape lifecycle cost and what agencies should evaluate when selecting paratransit vehicles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover photo for METROspectives with The Bus Coalition
Busby Alex RomanMarch 13, 2026

Inside The Bus Coalition’s Push for Stronger Federal Transit Investment

In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.

Read More →
Cover photo for Biz Briefs dated March 6, 2026
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 6, 2026

Biz Briefs: Tolar Manufacturing Supports PSTA Spark Service and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Passengers boarding a PRT bus
Busby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Pittsburgh Unveils 'Bus Line Refresh' Plan

Originally introduced in 2023 as the Bus Line Redesign, the effort has evolved into a more targeted update that maintains familiar routes while improving reliability, frequency, evening and weekend service, and connections across Allegheny County.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Stickers and a paper bus for S3 bus line
Busby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Seattle's Sound Transit Breaks Ground on S3 Bus Line

S3 will connect communities along SR 522 with fast, reliable, battery-electric bus service from Shoreline South Station to Bothell via Kenmore and Lake Forest Park. 

Read More →
PRT bus stop with articulated bus.
Busby StaffFebruary 20, 2026

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Announces All-Door Boarding on the University Line

All-door boarding will allow passengers to pay while entering the front, middle, or rear doors of the University Line’s 60-foot articulated buses.

Read More →
Patrick Scully, president at Complete Coach Works.
Managementby StaffFebruary 18, 2026

Complete Coach Works Names Patrick Scully President

He succeeds the company founder, Dale Carson, who remains chairman of the board. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A MARTA articulated bus.
Busby StaffFebruary 13, 2026

Atlanta's MARTA Sets Date for 'A-Line' BRT Launch

The five-mile Rapid A-Line connects Downtown Atlanta to Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Beltline’s Southside Trail.

Read More →