EXCLUSIVE: Cousin of man killed in 2021 VTA mass shooting graduates to become bus operator

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — March 18 is National Transit Employee Appreciation Day and the Valley Transportation Authority honored the 16 men and women who graduated Wednesday to become bus operators in Santa Clara County.

This included Victor Sevillano, whose cousin died during the workplace shooting at VTA in 2021.

Behind each graduating class, there’s always a why. And for many in the 2026 VTA Bus Operator graduation, that why is family.

“My mom, she works in transportation as well, and my sister works here,” Kiely Bowden said. “She really pushed me to, not only do bus, but pursue further in a career here at VTA. It means a lot for me to show other women we can do it, too.”

There’s something special about knowing that you’re following in someone’s footsteps when entering your career.

“You know, I grew up around it,” Sevillano said. “It’s a really a big deal in my family. And they’re very excited and ecstatic to see me grow and start my career.”

It’s a career Sevillano has dreamed about since he was a kid as he rode around on the buses his father operated until his death in 2018.

Three years later, his cousin Adrian Balleza was one of nine VTA employees killed in a workplace shooting.

MORE: San Jose mass shooting: These are the 9 victims of the VTA attack

Sevillano couldn’t help but think of his cousin on his special day.

“Full circle moment,” Sevillano said. “It’s just something that I always wanted to share with them, but if he was still around, he’d be the first one here, he’d be wanting to jump my arms. And he’d just tell me, ‘good job.’ And he’d be so proud, too.”

But Sevillano knows both his dad and cousin were watching his graduation and will be there in spirit when he officially starts his career.

“What is that first official ride going to feel like?” ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Dustin Dorsey asked.

“It’ll be very emotional,” Sevillano said. “I definitely will be holding a lot of tears back. I choose to live for them rather than to live that memory of what happened to him because that’s takes away from his whole story. So, I continue to do that by honoring both of them. It’s something that I’m excited to see and hopefully one day I could show my daughter.”

Sevillano has had a lot taken away from him, but he says he’s immensely grateful for what he has gained in return.