BLIXWELL, Damoign--A downstate Damoign community is breathing a sigh of relief and praising local law enforcement, after police apprehended a man who allegedly shot at a school bus.
The Georgia County Sheriff's Department says a local man was arrested after firing a hunting rifle repeatedly at a school bus that was filled with children.
Emergency dispatchers received a frightened call from the bus driver at 4:11 pm ET, saying an unidentified man had just fired several rounds at the school bus, which had about 15 students on board at the time.
The shooting occurred in a rural wooded area, and the suspect fled the scene after firing at the bus.
The bus driver was able to provide police with a license plate number and a description of the suspect's vehicle, however.
Multiple law enforcement officers immediately swarmed the area, with units from the local sheriff's department and neighbouring communities joining in the search for the suspect.
About a half hour later, police located the suspect's truck, which was empty.
A K-9 unit was called in and tracked the suspect down in a wooded area not far from the vehicle.
Police exercised extreme caution, as the suspect was thought to still be armed.
The man was quickly located by the police dogs, and despite attempts to negotiate a peaceful ending, the man refused to surrender to police. Authorities then released several dogs, who chased the suspect into a seven-foot-deep swamp.
The suspect was then removed from the swamp and taken into custody without incident.
Incredibly, none of the 15 children on-board the bus at the time of the shooting were injured.
"They were clearly shaken up and very upset about what happened, but no one was struck by bullets or debris, and we are very thankful for that," Captain Greg Markey of the Georgia County Sheriff's Department said.
The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution.
The Wood Dale Township School District announced counselors will be on-hand tomorrow at school to help students the students that were involved, and their parents.
The district also applauded the bus driver and the students for their bravery and staying calm.
"The bus driver is a hero for defending the students on board, and of course the kids should be commended for their bravery and for staying calm and collected during what was, no doubt, a very scary situation," Darcy Kaplen, spokeswoman for the district told local media.
Police arrested 22-year-old James Hyman. It's unclear why the man allegedly opened fire, but police alcohol was a factor.
"We're still not exactly sure why the suspect decided to do this, but we do know he was heavily intoxicated and alcohol certainly played a role," Captain Markey said.
Police do believe the man acted alone, and don't believe there is a threat to public safety any longer.
Hyman was booked into the Georgia County Jail on charges of felony aggravated attempted assault, endangering the welfare of a child, intimidation, misuse of a firearm, eluding police and destruction of property.
Hyman will face a judge Thursday morning.
The Georgia County Sheriff's Department says a local man was arrested after firing a hunting rifle repeatedly at a school bus that was filled with children.
Emergency dispatchers received a frightened call from the bus driver at 4:11 pm ET, saying an unidentified man had just fired several rounds at the school bus, which had about 15 students on board at the time.
The shooting occurred in a rural wooded area, and the suspect fled the scene after firing at the bus.
The bus driver was able to provide police with a license plate number and a description of the suspect's vehicle, however.
Multiple law enforcement officers immediately swarmed the area, with units from the local sheriff's department and neighbouring communities joining in the search for the suspect.
About a half hour later, police located the suspect's truck, which was empty.
A K-9 unit was called in and tracked the suspect down in a wooded area not far from the vehicle.
Police exercised extreme caution, as the suspect was thought to still be armed.
The man was quickly located by the police dogs, and despite attempts to negotiate a peaceful ending, the man refused to surrender to police. Authorities then released several dogs, who chased the suspect into a seven-foot-deep swamp.
The suspect was then removed from the swamp and taken into custody without incident.
Incredibly, none of the 15 children on-board the bus at the time of the shooting were injured.
"They were clearly shaken up and very upset about what happened, but no one was struck by bullets or debris, and we are very thankful for that," Captain Greg Markey of the Georgia County Sheriff's Department said.
The children were taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution.
The Wood Dale Township School District announced counselors will be on-hand tomorrow at school to help students the students that were involved, and their parents.
The district also applauded the bus driver and the students for their bravery and staying calm.
"The bus driver is a hero for defending the students on board, and of course the kids should be commended for their bravery and for staying calm and collected during what was, no doubt, a very scary situation," Darcy Kaplen, spokeswoman for the district told local media.
Police arrested 22-year-old James Hyman. It's unclear why the man allegedly opened fire, but police alcohol was a factor.
"We're still not exactly sure why the suspect decided to do this, but we do know he was heavily intoxicated and alcohol certainly played a role," Captain Markey said.
Police do believe the man acted alone, and don't believe there is a threat to public safety any longer.
Hyman was booked into the Georgia County Jail on charges of felony aggravated attempted assault, endangering the welfare of a child, intimidation, misuse of a firearm, eluding police and destruction of property.
Hyman will face a judge Thursday morning.
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