Husband, father, MARTA driver killed over fare; Loved ones call for justice, third arrest

MARTA employees are rallying around the family of a driver shot to death Friday during a dispute police say started over bus fare.

Dozens of union workers joined loved ones for a balloon release at the Decatur MARTA station, where the tragedy unfolded Friday.

"We wanted to show solidarity. We wanted to show our condolences to the family," ATU 732 President Britt Dunams told Fox 5.

Image 1 of 4

MARTA union workers joined Leroy Ramos' family for a balloon release on Jan. 5, just steps away from where his life was tragically ended over bus fare in Decatur, according to police.

They joined 47-year-old Leroy Ramos' family, friends and coworkers Sunday afternoon to honor his life.

His name echoed through the bus station corridor where police say an argument over the $2.50 bus fare led a passenger to fatally shoot him.

"Leroy had a big heart. We’re gonna stand united as a family for him," his wife Monique Ramos told FOX 5.

Image 1 of 2

Leroy Ramos and his wife Monique Ramos pose with their son. (Photo submitted by family)

She says they were high school sweethearts who’d recently gotten married. Ramos moved to Atlanta from New York, taking the job with MARTA shortly after arriving in October. 

He leaves behind two daughters and a 7-year-old son.

"He was big on protecting his family and just people that needed it," Ramos added.

Police have so far arrested two of the juvenile suspects involved, while a third is still at-large.

MARTA union workers joined Leroy Ramos' family for a balloon release on Jan. 5, just steps away from where his life was tragically ended over bus fare in Decatur, according to police.

Britt Dunams, a former driver and current president of the local Amalgamated Transit Union, tells FOX 5 the tragic incident has renewed concerns about safety among drivers.

"Each and every day, I’ve been getting phone calls and messages stating that they feel unsafe," he stated.

Dunams says they want to see MARTA advocate for stronger protections for bus operators in the form of new state laws and police officers assigned to every route deemed ‘high risk’.

"Safety is priority one, and we want to make sure that they put some type of action in place to protect these operators and these passengers," he explained.

In response to a request for comment about the call for additional security measures, a MARTA spokesperson said:

"MARTA is devastated by the murder of bus operator Leroy Ramos, a new employee and ATU member who had already made an impact on his fellow operators. MARTA Police swiftly arrested two of the three suspects involved and two juveniles have been charged with murder. Officers are actively searching for the shooter.

"MARTA has a strict de-escalation policy designed to protect operators from violence that includes not engaging with customers beyond the scope of their position as bus operator and leaving enforcement of rules to MARTA Police.

"Unfortunately, there has been an uptick in violence toward transit operators nationwide, an alarming trend that began during COVID when we saw a deterioration of societal behavior. Our frontline workers are the backbone of this organization and MARTA leadership and police will continue working with ATU Local 732 to protect and support our operators to ensure they feel safe on the job and well trained to react in escalating situations."

Loved ones of Ramos have started an online fundraiser to help cover funeral arrangements.

The Source: This is an original report including interviews conducted by FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Joi Dukes. The MARTA Police Department provided the details about the fatal incident. A MARTA spokesperson provided the included statement.

DecaturCrime and Public SafetyNews