Bus Driver and Passenger Clash in Albuquerque, Leaving One Dead

A tense confrontation unfolded on a bus in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when a 41-year-old bus driver and a 42-year-old passenger clashed over punctuality. The conflict escalated into a violent altercation that left the passenger critically injured and later died from multiple stab wounds. The incident has sparked discussions about public transportation safety, the role of personal conduct in urban transit systems, and the legal implications of carrying weapons on city vehicles.

The bus rider, identified as Raymond Cohen, was reportedly upset with the driver for repeatedly being late to his destination. During a stop at a downtown location, the driver, David Gabbaldin, allegedly became frustrated with the passenger's repeated reminders about the time. The tension escalated into a physical altercation that left Cohen injured.

According to witnesses, the incident began when the bus was stopped at a downtown location. The rider had been repeatedly reminding the driver of his lateness, which led to an argument between the two individuals. The passenger eventually approached the driver and started arguing with him. The conflict escalated into a physical fight that left Cohen injured.

The bus surveillance footage shows that the knife with the red handle belonged to the passenger who was stabbed. The passenger is seen dropping it right before the altercation continued between him and the bus driver who had his own knife with a black handle and proceeded to use it on the passenger. The passenger identified as 42-year-old Raymond Cohen was transported to the hospital where he died from his multiple stab wounds.

The bus driver was identified as 41-year-old David Gabbaldin. Local reporting indicates that after Raymond collapsed from his stab wounds, but right before police arrived, a random security guard tried to detain Gabbaldin, but he elbowed the guard and proceeded to grab his body camera, toss it to the ground, and stomp on it, rendering it useless.

The mayor of Albuquerque, Tim Keller, has since commented on the incident, saying, 'Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this loss of life. First and foremost, the family of the deceased, the transit safety responders, and also the bystanders who tried to help and were simply going about their morning commute.' He went on to say, 'The transit department has since launched an internal review into the actions of the employee involved in the rules and regulations of ABQ.'

The Albuquerque Ride service states that operators are not permitted to carry firearms or other objects that can be construed as a weapon, including pocket or other knives aboard a city vehicle or on city property. Violation of that policy will be considered a major policy violation.

There has been no public reporting confirming Gabbaldin's current status of employment with ABQ Ride. Following the incident, Gabaldin was charged with felony first-degree murder, felony tampering with evidence for destroying the security guard's body camera, and criminal damage to property under $1,000. Gabbaldin has since pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a jury trial is currently scheduled for October 26th, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

The incident highlights the challenges of managing safety in urban transit systems, where personal conduct can have serious consequences. It also raises questions about the role of public transportation in cities and the need for clear policies on the use of weapons aboard city vehicles.

Source notes — Channel: xQc. Video: Bus Driver Caught Stabbing Passenger in 4K | xQc Reacts. Published: 2026-09-22. Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmrjfB-BeA4. Evidence timestamps: 00:00:02, 00:00:04, 00:00:09, 00:00:11, 00:00:13, 00:00:16, 00:00:19, 00:00:21. Uncertain: speakers are not independently identified; statements in a channel recording are not necessarily the channel owner’s opinions.