School Bus Driver Hailed for Actions as Shots Fired Near Bus

MARIETTA, Ga. — A school bus driver here was praised for her decisive actions to keep students safe as gunfire erupted near her bus.

According to the Marietta Police Department, the Marietta City Schools bus was stopped at about 3:51 p.m. on Nov. 9, and two students were exiting. The school bus driver saw a man shooting a gun toward a house directly in front of the bus.

Police said that the school bus driver, who was not identified, “immediately grabbed the two children that were attempting to exit the bus and secured the doors.” The driver then called 911, and Marietta Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene. Meanwhile, the suspect fled the scene in a blue and white SUV.

“This driver kept innocent children out of harm’s way,” Mark Lindstrom, transportation director for Marietta City Schools, said in a press release. “She is a hero to all of us, and the entire community is grateful for her bravery.”

Police said that no children were injured, and no one was shot. Video surveillance footage from the exterior of the school bus reportedly shows the suspect firing 10 to 12 rounds toward a house before fleeing.

On Monday, the Marietta Police Department asked for the public’s help in identifying the man who fired the shots. A description and images of the suspect were posted on Nixle.

American Traffic Solutions (ATS) released video footage from the exterior of the bus that shows a man running near the bus and apparently firing a handgun (see below).

In a press release, ATS added another detail about the incident: A sibling of a student was close by, waiting for the student to be dropped off. As the school bus driver brought the two passengers back on board, the sibling also sought cover inside the bus.

“This driver’s protective and selfless actions in that dangerous moment are nothing short of heroic,” said Liz Caracciolo, ATS safety general manager. “ATS is incredibly proud to be associated with such men and women.”