FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Gwendolyn Whitfield is a hero to the survivors of a recent shooting on a Broward County public bus. Acting Chief Luis Alvarez said Whitfield’s “quick actions” saved lives.
While a gunman fired more than 20 rounds at passengers, the longtime Broward County transit bus driver pushed through traffic on March 17 to get to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department station, police said.
In an exclusive interview with Local 10 on Tuesday afternoon, Whitfield said she knew she had to save passengers when she heard the gunfire.
“I just drove,” she recalled. “It was God that led us to safety that day. There was no way that I was going to leave anyone in that kind of situation.”
When she arrived at the police station parking lot, Whitfield said an officer happened to be outside.
“He was looking at me, like, ‘What are you doing with this bus in here,’ you know? And I’m trying to tell him a shooter [is onboard], but I have my mask on,” Whitfield recalled.
Several more shots were fired before the officer ordered the shooter off the bus and onto the ground.
Officers accused Jamal Meyers, 34, of shooting four of the bus passengers. Gregory Campbell, 33, of Lauderdale Lakes, and Danny Colon, 41, of Hollywood, died. Two were wounded in the bus. Three were injured during a crash.
On Tuesday, commissioners honored Whitfield’s courage with the Broward County Medal of Valor. Commissioner Michael Udine praised her “presence of mind” and her selflessness.
Whitfield was in tears next to her husband, son, and grandchildren. She commended the actions of the officer on scene as well as the paramedics who treated the victims.
“One thing I understand is that Broward County comes together when it’s time to and I’m proud to be a part of Broward County,” Whitfield said.
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