MIAMI – Surveillance video shows a public transportation driver stopped a trolley and got up to face two riders who were fighting right behind him in Miami, police said. The Feb. 4 video shows Lamont Collins walking from the back of the trolley to stand in the walkway and later by the front door to talk to the driver who mostly ignored him. At about 2:39 p.m., Adolf “Nash” Bruce stood up and walked toward the front door where Collins, a former Camillus House resident, remained. Collins, 46, then faced Bruce, 49, who worked at the Amara at Paraiso restaurant, and said, “What are you doing, man? Back up away from me!” and “Back off!” The video shows Collins taking an aggressive stance and Bruce standing his ground while saying, “What’s wrong with you man?” and “I am waiting to get off.” Two women sat nearby on each side as Collins shouted for about a minute, pulled out a knife, and held it up while facing Bruce behind the driver. The video shows the driver stopped on Biscayne Boulevard in the Edgewater neighborhood to talk to Collins, who briefly put down the large steak knife but didn’t let it go. The brave driver sat down and continued to talk to Collins, referring to him as “homeboy,” but he was only able to keep him away from Bruce briefly. Collins put the knife in his pocket, and said, “I rather die than go to jail.” As an argument escalated again, the driver then stood back up at about 2:41 p.m., sat back down, and was talking on the phone when Collins put his hand back in his pocket. Bruce and Collins started fighting at about 2:42 p.m. when Collins pulled out the knife again and started swinging it at Bruce who moved back. Others riding the trolley shouted in panic and moved away from them. The video shows the driver holding his phone while Collins stabbed Bruce, who fell onto a seat and collapsed on the walkway. Collins jumped out of the trolley and ran away before Bruce found the strength to stand and walk out of the trolley while bleeding profusely. The video shows several women in tears as passengers and the driver were forced to walk over blood to get out of the trolley too. A few used the emergency exit back window at about 2:45 p.m. after police had arrived. Grieving friends described Bruce as a hard-working team player who enjoyed basketball and traveling the country. A GoFundMe user raised over $13,000 to cover funeral costs. Collins remained behind bars without bond. The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.
