A D.C. man says he was taking a Metrobus to the Anacostia Metro Station when a stranger set his shirt on hearth.
“Loopy, you realize,” Eric Walton mentioned. “Like, I by no means even spoke to that man.”
Walton says he was on the best way to the library with associates on the A4 bus round midday Nov. 2 when he felt an odd sensation.
“I smelled one thing burning, felt one thing heat, felt one thing scorching, seemed over to my shoulder and observed a fireplace,” he mentioned.
Video reveals Walton pat it out shortly, however that was only the start of the traumatic experience. Walton mentioned his attacker referred to as him a collection of expletives.
“He laughed about it, after which afterwards, he slammed his fist in opposition to the glass and mentioned, ‘Trump for president, white equality,’” Walton mentioned.
Because the bus continued, Walton subtly took out his cellphone to name police, who had been ready on the Anacostia station when the bus arrived about quarter-hour later.
“It felt like an hour, to be sincere,” Walton mentioned.
Prosecutors recognized the alleged attacker as Derek Palmer. After he was taken into custody, he attacked a police officer and has been in jail ever since, investigators mentioned.
“I’m glad that he’s off the streets for now, that he can’t harm me or another person once more,” Walton mentioned. “But in addition, I’m a agency believer that anybody can change.”
Walton mentioned he’s nonetheless a public transit advocate however advises fellow riders to at all times take note of their environment.
“Be protected, but additionally do the most effective you’ll be able to to advocate for your self,” he mentioned.
Palmer is charged with assault with a lethal weapon and assault on a police officer.
