Chicago Bus Driver Was Fired After Epically Body Slamming Man But New Video Shows Driver Was Assaulted First

Now that a second, more complete video has surfaced of a June 11 punch-throwing fight between two CTA employees and a bus rider, we hope the transit agency and prosecutors thoroughly review every decision they have made since then.

The CTA fired bus driver Leonard Andrews Jr., 28, who was the first to be involved in the fight at about 2 a.m. with the passenger. Also fired was employee Milan Williams, who came on the scene moments later and is seen on the video body-slamming the 43-year old passenger, Lawrence Madden.

CTA officials say the employees were fired for violation of several rules, including conduct unbecoming a CTA employee, and for failure to report the incident.

Moreover, Andrews has been charged with misdemeanor battery and Williams, 46, has been charged with felony aggravated battery.

We suspect many viewers thought the penalties and charges were appropriate when all they saw was the original video that went viral — which showed only the body-slamming.

But on newly released CTA surveillance video, it appears that Madden may have thrown the first punch. When the bus driver apparently responded by punching and kicking Madden, Madden made no apparent attempt to back off during the moments he had a chance to do so.