Driver Fatally Shot On Alabama School Bus
Comments (2)
A school bus driver has died from gunshot wounds sustained during a shooting near Midland City in Alabama’s Dale County, according to local reports.
(RickeyStokesNews.com)
The shooting occurred at approximately 3:36 p.m. (CST) along a rural stretch of U.S. Route 231. Witnesses say that the shooter entered the bus and demanded that two students be released into his custody. When the driver refused, the shooter stormed the bus, shooting the driver four times and fleeing the scene with a child. WSFA reports the child taken hostage is a 6 year-old boy.
Although Dale County Sheriff’s officials have yet to provide specific details regarding the situation, multiple reports indicate that the suspect fled to an underground bunker behind a nearby church. Police are currently on the scene negotiating with the suspect.
Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the suspect, but the Dotham Eagle reports that local resident Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, is responsible for the incident. It is unclear whether or not the child taken from the scene is present in the bunker with Dykes.
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Dykes was arrested on December 22 on charges on menacing stemming from an incident in which Dykes allegedly pointed a gun at a neighbor. He was scheduled to make an appearance in court on Wednesday, according to AL.com.
A neighbor of the suspect Michael Creel, told the Dotham Eagle that he went outside upon hearing gunshots. He saw children fleeing the scene, indicating to Creel the direction in which the suspect ran.
NBC News reports that schools in both Dale and Ozark Counties have cancelled classes for Wednesday.
Stay tuned for additional updates.
Reach Excecutive Producer Kat Bouza here.
Comments
First of all this was just devastating. A 67 year old man had been suspected of something that he was going to go to court for And you know maybe serve 30 days in jail for. Ok,if I were him I would not have done this. I would have have just taken the 30 days or whatever and been done with it. It is just crazy and stupid. I go to Dale County High School and I am very thankful to be alive right now because that could have very easily been me on that bus and I could have gotten shot or even taken off that school bus. The only bad thing is that is going to be really boring because I have to stay Home and take care of my wild dog and do chores which I hate. But seriously prayers go out to anyone who was involved in the incident,to Mr.Poland's family,to Mr Poland and I hope and pray that he asked Jesus into his heart because if he did he is in heaven and in a better place,and my prayers also go out to anyone that was on that school bus and had to watch that happen,I also pray for the child and the child's family of the child that got taken off that school bus. My thoughts also go out to each and everyone of those people. Lastly,I if you don't know Jesus Christ Today and you are not saved and baptized my advice is that you do that today and I will tell you how :
A-admit that you are a sinner
B-Believe That Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins
C-confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior and lord.
If you have not been saved my advice is that you pray that prayer.
Thanks and praise god
Yeah, God did a real good job protecting those kids in Newtown; maybe he wants more money...