Possible Gang Involvement Looked At In MARTA Attack

ATLANTA -- Police are looking at possible gang involvement in an attack on two Delta employees on a MARTA train.

MARTA Police said they are trying to determine whether members of a group called B. F. P. L., or Bank First, Pay Later, were involved.

On Tuesday, a witness of the train attack told Channel 2's Erica Byfield the scuffle happened as the train approached the Oakland City stop early Sunday moing.

"We were intimidated. Everyone was terrified. People were trying to run, but there was nowhere to run," the man, who requested anonymity, said.

The witness said up to 30 people boarded the train and launched an assault. A MARTA police report said one victim had a soda can smashed in his face and his wallet stolen, while the other was punched repeatedly in his face. The witness said the group chanted B.F.P.L. during the attack

"The gang is generally operated in southwest and northwest Atlanta and came to the attention of the APD mostly through a number of car break-ins, for which some of the members were arrested," an Atlanta police gang unit representative said in an email.

MARTA police said they are investigating leads and have identified people of interest. They didn’t say if anyone they are looking at is a B.F.P.L. member.

"I'm not sure exactly if these people are affiliated any way, shape or form. We are trying to find that out," said MARTA spokesman Lyle Harris. "The main thing is that we are trying to make an arrest as soon as possible."

Harris said, despite the attack, safety is a top priority for MARTA.

"This was a very isolated incident. MARTA is a safe system and we will continue to upgrade and enhance our security," he said.