Always be aware of your surroundings: Update on SCSD bus hit by stray bullet

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The Syracuse Police Department is making “good progress” with the investigation of a stray bullet hitting a Syracuse City School District bus while four students and two adults were inside.

“Our investigation clearly shows that the bus was not the intended target,” said Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile during a press conference held on Aug. 15, just a day after the incident.

Cecile explained that the person who was firing hit the bus, hit the intended target and hit an additional personal vehicle.

The suspect is believed to have been on foot, while their intended target was in a car.

The stray bullet hit the bus while it was on the 400 block of Highland Avenue on the city’s Northside.

Although no one was hurt, SCSD Superintendent Anthony Davis took time to thank both the bus driver, Allyson Hughes, and the monitor, Lakisha Works, for their calm demeanor during a stressful time. He pointed out that their reactions helped the children’s reactions.

Right now, Syracuse Police are focusing in on the suspect. They say there is a video out there of the situation.

Chief Cecile said to always be aware of your surroundings.

“It’s not one entity that’s going to solve this issue, it’s going to be a city-wide effort to get this city back to a place where everybody feels safe,” said Davis.

This incident was a case of a bus at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “It is a stark reminder of how the gun violence impacts the city, impacts people directly and indirectly every day.”

Those who frequent the area know when something is off and are urged to speak up when they feel something is wrong.

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