Loved ones gather at vigil to remember Culver City bus driver Bruce Rodriguez, who was shot and killed while working in Mar Vista

MAR VISTA, LOS ANGELES () — Hundreds gathered on Saturday night to remember a Culver City bus driver who was shot and killed following an argument with a passenger.

Bruce Rodriguez was remembered for his warmth, humor, work ethic and devotion to his two young sons. Mourners placed dozens of candles along the sidewalk at Centinela and Mitchell avenues in Mar Vista, marking the location where Rodriguez was killed while working on Thursday.

“He didn’t come home on Thursday,” said Rodriguez’s wife, Sandy Sanchez.

Sanchez is now left to raise the couple’s two young boys without him.

“No child should have to lose their father because he went to work,” she said.

Friends, relatives and colleagues shared stories about Rodriguez during the vigil.

“Bruce was the most kindest, the most hardworking person. Anything you ask him to do, he did,” one participant said.

“He had a smile that just lit up a room, and he really did. He was just the kindest, funniest person I know,” a coworker said.

Rodriguez’s sister-in-law, Kathy Sanchez, said he especially loved being a father.

“He loved being a dad… and just speaking to all of our families, he would send pictures all the time of the kids,” she said.

Two witnesses who were on the bus during the shooting told police they believe the passenger was intoxicated when an argument broke out over a missed stop. Police said the passenger then pulled out a gun and opened fire.

Police identified the suspect as 55-year-old Jose Zayas. He was taken into custody on Friday and booked on suspicion of murder. His bail was set at $3 million.

An attorney representing Rodriguez’s family said the driver had been threatened with a knife just one month before he was killed.

Other bus drivers attending the vigil called for increased protections, saying violence and abuse have become a frequent part of their jobs.

“It’s the physical abuse — they’re throwing urine, feces, liquids on us, food on us, spitting on us. These are things that drivers every day are faced with,” said Christine Ivey, a transit advocate from Santa Monica.

The attorney representing Rodriguez’s family said the family will push for changes intended to help bus drivers feel better protected at work.

The vigil concluded with prayers for Rodriguez’s family and other bus drivers. Mourners then released balloons into the sky in his memory.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help support Rodriguez’s family.