Police chase Gwinnett County: Atlanta cops pursue hijacked transit bus up I-85 to DeKalb County; Joseph Grier in custody, 1 dead [Video]

ATLANTA — A man who Atlanta police say held a gun to the head of a bus driver is in custody after the hijacked bus led authorities on a rush hour chase Tuesday, and another person found shot on the bus has now died, officials say.

Police said they will not release the identity of the person who died until family members have been notified. The suspect was identified as Joseph Grier, a 39-year-old felon, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference.

CNN has not been able to determine if Grier has retained legal counsel at this time.

The chief called the bus driver “a hero” as he was in “a very dangerous situation” yet remained committed to his passengers. He noted the driver was shaken up by the “harrowing experience.”

The chief said 17 people were on the bus, including the driver.

Authorities responded to a report of …