‘That’s traumatizing’: Neighbors react to fight on school bus that sent two to the hospital

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — Police are investigating how an elementary school student and a bus driver were hurt in a fight on a Petersburg school bus .

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, Sept. 25, shortly after 4 that evening.

Witnesses to the fight’s aftermath are speaking out against the violence. They tell 8News that they were shocked to learn that a 16-year-old got on the elementary school bus and attacked the bus driver.

It is still unclear what sparked the fight, but community members say it’s one they will never forget.

Treivon Jordan was standing a few feet away when he heard all the noise and commotion on the elementary school bus.

“For anybody’s kid to have to go through that, that’s traumatizing, you know, that’s going to stick with him for the rest of his life, probably,” Jordan said.

Jordan explained that he alerted police about the fight, and said how he feels in the aftermath to know that a child was hurt.

“I flagged down a police officer, like, ‘You need to help this kid,’ you know, because for anyone to have to go through that at such a young age, I know how that feels. You know, that’s foul,” Jordan said.

According to the Petersburg Bureau of Police, at 4:11 p.m. on Wednesday, they received reports of a school bus fight involving students. The bus had come to a stop at the intersection of Halifax and Saint Matthews Street near the Little Food Mart.

Investigators say that a 16-year-old got on the bus, and the driver was assaulted. Officials with Petersburg City Public Schools say that both the bus driver and one young student were sent to the hospital with injuries but are recovering.

Jordan was doing yard work at the home of Leah Copeland at the time of the fight, with Copeland describing the scene.

“He had cuts like scratches on his face everywhere, blood coming from his face like this. His nose wasn’t broken or anything, but it was flowing out like this. His face was busted. I know elementary kids don’t fight like that,” Copeland said.

Copeland expressed her sadness about what she witnessed.

“I kind of felt disheartened because you wonder what makes a young kid want to get on a school bus and attack another child. So as a parent, you feel like you want to raise your children properly so that they don’t take those type of actions,” Copeland said.

Yolonda Brown, the acting superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools, sent out a statement that reads, in part: “It is the responsibility of our entire school community to create a safe and supportive environment for our students and staff. Anyone who neglects this responsibility will be addressed in accordance with the law.”

Police arrested the 16-year-old suspect hours later. He is being charged with malicious wounding and trespassing on a school bus. Investigators aren’t identifying the 16-year-old due to his age, but said he is staying in police custody pending his appearance in court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.