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Gunman hijacks STA bus

Jody Lawrence-Turner
Staff writers
March 3, 2006

Bob Frazier, 69, of Spokane in police custody in the parking lot of the Special K Pub and Grill in Hillyard. (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review) » More photos Map: Special K Pub

A gunman hijacked a Spokane Transit bus this morning and ordered the driver to take him to a Hillyard tavern, where he squeezed off two shots before being thrown out of the bar and taken into custody by police.

The bus had no passengers on board at the time of the hijacking. No one was injured by the bullets fired in the tavern, but the Special K Pub and Grill bartender’s nerves were rattled.

Robert “Bobby” Frazier, 69, could face first-degree kidnapping and assault charges, Spokane police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee said. The bus driver was reportedly doing well after the ordeal.

Frazier apparently boarded an STA bus at Bernard and First Avenue about 10 a.m., Lee said. The bus driver was on a break, preparing to head to Cheney. Frazier showed the driver his gun in his waistband and told him to drive to the pub at Market and Garland.

Meanwhile, another STA bus driver saw the bus intended for Cheney traveling in the wrong direction and radioed dispatch. Officials tried to reach the bus driver, but he didn’t answer until several minutes later when Frazier got off the bus.

Frazier exited the bus and went into Special K Pub & Grill where he’s a regular, Lee said. He fired off two shots before the bartender, Tyrene Mellon, confronted “Bobby.” She pushed him up against the bar and held his arms while another bar patron took the gun. Mellon then grabbed Frazier by his coat, threw him outside and locked the doors.

Spokane police had already arrived, likely because of the call from the bus driver, Lee said. Frazier was taken into custody without incident.

Mellon said she thought Frazier had toy cap gun, she didn’t know it was real until police told her.

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