Edwin Thomas (bus driver)
Encyclopedia
Edwin Thomas was an American New York City
bus driver
who was murdered on December 1, 2008 by a passenger who became infuriated that Thomas refused to give him a free transfer because the former did not pay his fare. This was the first slaying of a New York City bus driver in more than 27 years.
. The man slid in an invalid MetroCard in the fare box two or three times, and despite it being rejected, he wordlessly took a seat next to a woman. Thomas, who was following rules to avoid confrontations, acquiesced and said nothing. However, at the Malcolm X Boulevard stop, when Moore asked Thomas for a transfer at Gates Avenue, Thomas refused, stating that Moore did not pay his fare. Outraged, Moore punched Thomas twice before exiting the bus, but immediately returned and began to stab Thomas with a sharp object. Despite passengers intervening and two men chasing the assailant as he fled, Thomas was pronounced dead by the time he arrived to the hospital.
, Transport Workers Union
, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
each posted a $12,000 reward for any tips leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
New York City
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
condemned the killing and expressed his condolences to the Thomas family, stating, "In Edwin's memory, I ask all New Yorkers riding public transit tonight or tomorrow to take an extra moment to say 'thank you' to our New York City Transit workers. I ask everyone to keep Edwin Thomas' family and loved ones in your prayers." New York
Governor David Paterson
also expressed his condolences.
His funeral was held in Queens, New York on December 9, 2008. That day there were calls to change the policy regarding how drivers are expected to handle unpaid fares, and to improve their safety.
On December 9, an arrest in the case was announced. It was announced that Horace D. Moore was arrested and charged with murder.
On October 7, 2010 Horace Moore was convicted of the stabbing murder Thomas. The case was prosecuted by Kings Country Assistant District Attorney Julie B Rendelman, of the elite Homicide bureau.
On October 19, 2010 Horace Moore was sentenced to 20years to life.
who immigrated to the United States in 1981 and settled in Brooklyn
New York. He was the divorced father of an 18 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. His son, Jeffrey Thomas, stated, “He was a good dad; he always looked out for me. [We were] like the best of friends. We shared all our secrets and laughter.”
Co-workers described Thomas as a hard worker who frequently worked overtime.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
bus driver
Bus driver
A bus driver, bus operator or omnibus driver is a person who drives buses professionally. Bus drivers typically drive their vehicles between bus stations or stops. They often drop off and pick up passengers on a predetermined route schedule. In British English a different term, coach drivers, is...
who was murdered on December 1, 2008 by a passenger who became infuriated that Thomas refused to give him a free transfer because the former did not pay his fare. This was the first slaying of a New York City bus driver in more than 27 years.
The Murder
According to the NY Daily News, a tall, skinny man later identified to be paroled ex-convict Horace Moore, whom witnesses to the murder described to be approximately 35 years of age boarded the B46 bus in Bedford-Stuyvesant, BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. The man slid in an invalid MetroCard in the fare box two or three times, and despite it being rejected, he wordlessly took a seat next to a woman. Thomas, who was following rules to avoid confrontations, acquiesced and said nothing. However, at the Malcolm X Boulevard stop, when Moore asked Thomas for a transfer at Gates Avenue, Thomas refused, stating that Moore did not pay his fare. Outraged, Moore punched Thomas twice before exiting the bus, but immediately returned and began to stab Thomas with a sharp object. Despite passengers intervening and two men chasing the assailant as he fled, Thomas was pronounced dead by the time he arrived to the hospital.
Response to the murder
The New York City Police DepartmentNew York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
, Transport Workers Union
Transport Workers Union
Transport Workers Union may refer to:* The Transport Workers Union of America* The Transport Workers Union of Australia* The Swedish Transport Workers' Union...
, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
each posted a $12,000 reward for any tips leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
condemned the killing and expressed his condolences to the Thomas family, stating, "In Edwin's memory, I ask all New Yorkers riding public transit tonight or tomorrow to take an extra moment to say 'thank you' to our New York City Transit workers. I ask everyone to keep Edwin Thomas' family and loved ones in your prayers." New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Governor David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
also expressed his condolences.
His funeral was held in Queens, New York on December 9, 2008. That day there were calls to change the policy regarding how drivers are expected to handle unpaid fares, and to improve their safety.
On December 9, an arrest in the case was announced. It was announced that Horace D. Moore was arrested and charged with murder.
On October 7, 2010 Horace Moore was convicted of the stabbing murder Thomas. The case was prosecuted by Kings Country Assistant District Attorney Julie B Rendelman, of the elite Homicide bureau.
On October 19, 2010 Horace Moore was sentenced to 20years to life.
Personal life
Thomas was a native of HaitiHaiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
who immigrated to the United States in 1981 and settled in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
New York. He was the divorced father of an 18 year old son and a 16 year old daughter. His son, Jeffrey Thomas, stated, “He was a good dad; he always looked out for me. [We were] like the best of friends. We shared all our secrets and laughter.”
Co-workers described Thomas as a hard worker who frequently worked overtime.