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North County Transit District and the city will study housing redevelopment options near the Escondido Transit Center. Photo by Samantha Nelson
Escondido Transit Center. File photo
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Bus driver wounded in knife attack at Escondido Transit Center

ESCONDIDO — A probationer was back behind bars on suspicion of repeatedly stabbing a bus driver while trying to rob him during a rampage at the Escondido Transit Center.

Mario Joseph Felix, 50, allegedly began threatening people with a knife at the transit center located at 700 W. Valley Pkwy. at about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, according to police.

While officers were en route to the depot, a 911 caller reported that the armed man had entered a Metropolitan Transit System bus and was attacking its driver, Lt. Ryan Hicks said.

Patrol personnel arrived to find the assailant gone and the victim suffering from stab wounds to his torso. Paramedics took the driver to a hospital, where he was admitted for non-life-threatening wounds.

Officers canvassing the area surrounding the West Valley Parkway bus depot found the suspected assailant behind a bookstore at a nearby strip mall, Hicks said.

Felix allegedly was combative and refused to surrender until police subdued him with impacts from 40mm non-lethal foam projectiles.

“Video evidence of the attack was obtained, and a knife was recovered near the area where Felix was arrested,” the lieutenant said. “Investigators discovered that Felix (allegedly) had demanded the bus driver’s wallet before stabbing him several times.”

The victim, whose name was not released, remained hospitalized in stable condition Thursday afternoon, according to police.

The suspect, described as a transient, is a convicted felon with an “extensive” criminal history, including two prior convictions for assaulting Escondido police, Hicks said.

Felix was booked into county jail in Vista on suspicion of robbery, attempted murder, resisting peace officers and violating terms of his parole. He was being held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Friday afternoon.

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