RICHMOND, Va. – Shots were fired near a Richmond school bus with kids on board in Richmond’s Fairfield neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, according to Richmond Public School officials.
School officials said the incident occurred just after 3:30 p.m. while the bus no. 300 was traveling at the intersection of N. 23rd St. & Rosetta St.
Police said two men were shooting at each other on Rosetta Street in Fairfield Court, which triggered a police and school security response as a school bus came close to getting caught in the crossfire.
Parents tell CBS 6 reporter Jon Burkett some of the students on board were pre-kindergarten students from Fairfield Court Elementary.
This, after parents say they have been traumatized by at least two shootouts in two weeks near the bus stop.
With one word, pre-K parent Sherron McArthur conveyed her state of mind: "Anxiety," she said. "I'm very scared. This is the second time in two weeks."
N. 23rd St. & Rosetta St.
"Gunshots near a bus, anytime children are on the bus, we respond to ensure their safety and security," said Assistant Superintendent Thomas Kranz.
School officials said there is no evidence of a bullet ever hitting the bus, but they will take extra precautions in the days and weeks to come.
Kranz confirmed this is the second time this month shots were fired near a school bus in that neighborhood. They said they are currently looking into changing the bus route.
"We will add extra security now because this has happened, but we don't want to share the exact process and procedure,” said Kranz. “We will make sure these students are safe and secure."
After the reported shooting, parents were alerted to come pick their students at the location, according to school officials.
"We just interacted with the kids,” said Kranz. “The bus does have air conditioning, so they were comfortable until parents arrived."
Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
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