After weeks of reported gun violence in the United States, a school district in Maryland has reported two separate gun-related incidents within a matter of days. First, police received a report regarding an attack with a gun on a Prince George's County School District school bus on May 1. Then three days later, an eighth grader at G. James Gholson Middle School in Landover allegedly came to school with a loaded gun, which a teacher discovered.
Witnesses of the bus attack say it was a miracle the victim wasn't killed. Concerned school community members want to know how to keep students and themselves safe from these surprise attacks.
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The bus was on its regular route.
According to a release from the Prince George's County Police Department, the incident happened on Monday evening, around 4:55 p.m., at a stop for Prince George’s County Alternative Middle School. While the bus was stopped, a teen girl got off, and three assailants in masks and hoodies reportedly got on.
The attackers — believed to be teens — immediately targeted the single remaining passenger on the bus, a 14-year-old boy, and one allegedly attempted to shoot him in the head.
The gun misfired.
Martin Giggs, president of the bus driver's union, told ABC 7 that this was not an accident. He said it was a brazen, calculated attack.
Diggs said calmly: "This was an attempted murder, plain and simple. Call it what it is." He said the alleged gunman pulled the trigger three times, but the gun did not fire. "By the grace of God, the gun didn't go off, and bullets flew out of the gun."
When the gun did not go off, the alleged attackers reportedly viciously beat the student and then got away on foot. A bus driver and aide who were also on the bus were not injured.
Diggs claims the attack was intentional.
The adults on the bus are terrified, and Diggs said he wants more safety and security for his drivers and aides. They may not have been physically harmed, but they are certainly scared, he said.
"They're terrified. The one driver doesn't even want to come back to work. They are terrified. They don't even want to come out of the house," Diggs said. He said they believed they could have died that day had the gun not misfired.
The district said it is 'horrified.'
Charoscar Coleman, the school district's associate superintendent, urged anyone in the school community to come forward with information about the reported attack. "We are outraged as a district. Horrified that this incident did occur," Coleman said.
Despite releasing photos, the district does not intend to release a video of the attack, according to the New York Post. "Our priority remains providing a safe and orderly environment for our students. That is during school and also to and from school," Coleman said.
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Where are the parents?
People commented on the post from Prince George's County Police Department calling for help from parents. Some believe that home life leads to these dangerous behaviors.
"Parents please turn your kids in," someone wrote. "It's your duty as a parent. It might be the hardest thing to do.but DO IT."
Another follower agreed: "Parents!!!!!! yall see your sons on here, turn them in, you might save another child's life and even your own child's life."
"When they caught charge the parents [too]…" a follower suggested.
Police say the motive for the assault is under investigation, and anyone with tips should call 301-749-5064.
