SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

School Bus Driver Hailed for Actions as Shots Fired Near Bus

As two students in Marietta, Georgia, are exiting their bus, the driver sees a man shooting a gun nearby and brings the students back on board. The shooter can be seen in bus video footage.

Thomas McMahon
Thomas McMahonExecutive Editor
November 17, 2016
School Bus Driver Hailed for Actions as Shots Fired Near Bus

As two students in Marietta, Georgia, were exiting their bus, the driver saw a man shooting a gun nearby and brought the students back on board. The shooter can be seen here in bus video footage.

2 min to read


As two students in Marietta, Georgia, were exiting their bus, the driver saw a man shooting a gun nearby and brought the students back on board. The shooter can be seen here in bus video footage.

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.

Ad Loading...

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).

Ad Loading...

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.”

More Management

A red, white, and blue graphic with pictures of Thomas Gray and text reading "Honoring U.S. Veterans: Thomas Gray's Story."
Managementby Elora HaynesMay 4, 2026

What Happens When Battle-Tested Leadership Meets Student Transportation?

See how Thomas Gray brings Marine Corps discipline and logistics expertise to Dayton Public Schools in this article celebrating National Military Appreciation Month.

Read More →
Close-up of fuel pump nozzles at a gas station, representing rising diesel costs and fuel management challenges for school bus fleets.

Diesel Prices Spike: Tips to Cut Fuel Costs with Data and New Geotab Tools

With diesel prices up 46%, new Geotab analysis points to tools that help fleets reduce idling, detect fuel anomalies, and recover hidden fuel costs across operations.

Read More →
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

What Data Shows About Student Transportation in 2026

Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic featuring Transit Technologies and headshots of Lisa Horkins, Nunu Dueman Yates, Michael Lei, Srithal Bellary, and Cristina Wheless.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 30, 2026

Transit Technologies Announces New Executive Appointments

The Bytecurve and busHive parent company has multiple new faces on its executive team as the company focuses on AI platform growth.

Read More →
photo of a woman seated at a desk talking to a man, looking at a tablet
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 29, 2026

IC Bus Introduces ‘My International’ to Connect Fleet Vehicles, Data, and Service

Available on desktop or mobile, the digital ecosystem brings fleet monitoring, service management, vehicle insights, and dealer communication into a single interface.

Read More →
A graphic with an image of a school bus's rear bumper, a Transfinder logo, and text reading "More District Installs Across the U.S."
Managementby StaffApril 29, 2026

More Districts Tap Transfinder for Routing, Tracking, and Communication Tools

See which users in Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are adopting Transfinder’s routing, tracking, and parent apps.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sonim XP5plus 5G rugged mobile radio device on orange background labeled “New Product,” highlighting push-to-talk communication and durability for school bus fleet operations.
ManagementApril 28, 2026

AT&T, Sonim Launch XP5plus 5G LMR Device for School Bus Fleets

The new radio combines durability, push-to-talk, and FirstNet connectivity, offering a cost-effective communication solution for fleets.

Read More →
EverDriven graphic over a mountain landscape highlighting high caregiver trust and Washington State milestone, emphasizing student transportation safety, reliability, and service growth.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 23, 2026

EverDriven Celebrates Milestones in Washington; Caregiver Trust Tops 80%

EverDriven marks 18 years and 17 million miles in the Evergreen state while new data shows 8 in 10 caregivers would recommend its student transportation solution.

Read More →
A woman holds a tablet and waves at children disembarking a school bus.
Managementby StaffApril 21, 2026

Zum Raises $100 Million, Cites ‘Transportation Anxiety Crisis’ in New Research

New funding and national research highlight student transportation challenges as Zum looks to scale its Connected Mobility Experience platform nationwide.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a line of pro-vision employees stand in front of branded company vans
Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 21, 2026

Pro-Vision Video Installs Now Backed by MECP-Certified Techs

The certification validates expertise in complex vehicle technology installations, making it the first fleet video solutions provider to achieve the milestone.

Read More →