Community Mourns LAC+USC Nurse Slain In Random Bus Stop Attack

Los Angeles CA

18 January, 2022

4:45 PM

Description

LOS ANGELES, CA — Flags across Los Angeles were flown at half staff Tuesday for a Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center nurse who died Sunday from injuries suffered in a random attack while she waited in the early morning for her bus to work. Her death triggered an outpouring of sorrow from county leaders, and a homeless man now faces a potential murder charge. Seventy-year-old Sandra Shells spent the pandemic on the frontlines, risking her own health for her patients. Her slaying shocked the community. The attack is the latest in a series of high-profile attacks at Metro stops and on trains and buses in Los Angeles, and county leaders on Monday vowed to bolster safety for riders on the transit system. "I am devastated to learn that the LAC+USC nurse who was attacked at a Metro bus stop a couple of days ago has succumbed to her injuries," county Supervisor Hilda Solis, chair of the Metro Board of Directors, said in a statement Monday. "As a frontline essential worker, she helped save countless lives throughout the pandemic and it is a heartbreaking loss to lose a hero. "As chair of the Metro Board of Directors, I will continue to push for an enhanced safety plan for riders and staff so we can prevent tragic incidents like this from happening again. I send my condolences to her family and the entire LAC+USC community." To honor the life of Sandra Shells, the @LACUSCMedCenter nurse who tragically passed away on Sunday, I've requested for @CountyofLA flags to be flown at half-staff at all County and Metro facilities until the scheduled funeral services are confirmed. May she Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/kQElsVKn98— Hilda Solis (@HildaSolis) January 18, 2022 Shells' death was a blow to her colleagues at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center where she worked for 38 years. Today, LAPD Central Area delivered a floral arrangement to LAUSCMC Staff in memory of ER Nurse Sandra Shells, who was violently punched, knocked to the ground and passed away, a senseless VIOLENT crime. RIP.@LAPDChiefMoore @LAPDGirmala @LabradaAl pic.twitter.com/TWYWPFS3qR— LAPD CAPT E. MORALES (@LAPDCaptMorales) January 17, 2022 The hospital released a statement Sunday night, saying, "Sandra Shells will forever be remembered for her compassionate care and unmatched dedication to her patients and her community throughout her 38-year career at LAC-USC. "Sandra worked tirelessly and selflessly to keep her patients safe and healthy and will always be remembered as a kind, compassionate and giving nurse with a helpful and thoughtful nature who was a favorite amongst colleagues and patients. "There will never be enough words to express our gratitude for her tremendous work and dedication," according to the medical center. REST IN PEACE: Friends and neighbors remember the devoted 70-year-old nurse, Sandra Shells, who died after being attacked by a homeless man at a downtown Los Angeles bus stop on her way to work. 🙏🏽🕊️ https://t.co/5XuXIZoj8L pic.twitter.com/ElCL2ZmRob— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 18, 2022 Shells was attacked at 5:15 a.m. Thursday as she waited for a bus near Union Station near Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Shells died Sunday at the hospital. Kerry Bell, 48, described by police as a homeless man, was arrested a short time after the attack and remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, according to sheriff's department records. Police said Bell punched Shells in the head in an unprovoked attack, causing her to fall and strike her head on the ground. Although Bell was booked on suspicion of assault, Shells' death will open the suspect to a possible murder charge. Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO, said in a statement she was "devastated" to learn of Shells' death. "This tragic and random act of violence makes us even more determined to maintain our vigilance around safety on our system and we will continue to work with the community and our partners to identify long-term public safety measures," Wiggins said. There have been several high-profile attacks on the Metro. In June, police investigated a rash of random recorded assaults on Metro passengers posted to social media. In November, police arrested two women in an altercation on a train in Hollywood, and in 2018, a homeless man was arrested on suspicion of pushing a teen onto the Metro Red Line tracks. Metro officials urged the public and transit riders to report any suspicious or criminal activity on the system through the Metro Transit Watch app, or by calling 888-950-SAFE (7233), or texting 213-788-2777. For emergencies, people should call 911, officials said. City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.