SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employee was angry about money when he allegedly killed his co-worker at a VTA bus yard in San Jose three days ago, investigators told reporters at a news conference held Monday afternoon.
The homicide victim was Regulus Teotico, a longtime VTA bus operator and father of two teenaged children, according to VTA CEO Carolyn Gonot. “He was a kind, hard working driver who was well known amongst his colleagues,” Gonot said.
A Santa Clara County Sheriff’s captain said Teotico and his suspected killer, 33-year-old Duc Minh Bui, both worked as VTA bus drivers and were assigned to the Chaboya Division Yard on South 7th Street in San Jose. Their workplace turned into a homicide crime scene after Teotico was fatally shot in the yard’s employee parking area.
Duc Minh Bui’s mugshot was released by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Bui and Teotico were involved in “the same activities outside of VTA employment,” including gambling, the captain said. Investigators said they believe “money owed between the two from betting activities” was the motive behind the homicide.
The shooting happened at 9:53 p.m. on Sept. 20. Sheriff’s detectives worked around-the-clock to identify and arrest the VTA shooter. Less than 48 hours after the killing, Bui was arrested outside of his home and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.
Some VTA employees are still traumatized from a 2021 mass shooting that left nine of their co-workers dead.
A mourner pauses in front of a memorial for the nine victims of a mass shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail yard on May 27, 2021 in San Jose. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
On May 26, 2021, a disgruntled employee opened fire inside a break room at the transit agency’s Guadalupe Division building. The gunman, 57-year-old Samuel James Cassidy, fired 39 shots before he killed himself as law enforcement officers rushed into the building.
VTA memorial (File Photo by Philip Pacheco /Getty Images)
On Monday, Sheriff Bob Jonsen acknowledged that the most recent shooting brings back concerns over workplace violence.
Jonsen said, “This was a senseless crime — without question. It’s not lost on us that this incident brings back the memories … where nine employees lost their lives. People need to feel safe when they come to work.”
The Sheriff said he hopes Bui’s arrest can help restore a sense of safety for the victim’s family, the VTA’s workforce, and the community. “A suspect has been arrested. This is the first piece of justice for the family,” Jonsen said.
Bui does not have a criminal record in Santa Clara County, court records show.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employee was angry about money when he allegedly killed his co-worker at a VTA bus yard in San Jose three days ago, investigators told reporters at a news conference held Monday afternoon. The homicide victim was Regulus Teotico, a longtime VTA bus operator and […]
Leave a Reply