MILWAUKEE —  A 17-year-old is behind bars in the brutal attack of a Milwaukee County bus driver that was caught on a widely publicized videotape, police said Tuesday.

The teen later admitted to the crime, saying he attacked the bus driver in retaliation for an earlier incident in which he was kicked off a bus by a different driver for having a fake pass, cops said.

The surveillance video showed the attacker, in a red sweat shirt and bandanna, hitting the driver repeatedly as the driver tried to fend him off while continuing to drive.

About eight passengers were onboard the bus when the man entered and threatened the driver, saying he had a knife, MyFOXMilwaukee.com reported.

The assailant also grabbed the steering wheel and hit the gas. The bus eventually went into a tree and the assailant fled.

The teen was arrested after someone recognized him on the tape and called authorities.

Click here for a video report from MyFOXMilwaukee.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.