17-Year-Old Has Been Arrested In School Bus Shooting
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested a 17-year-old just hours after he shot a pellet-type rifle at a Duval County school bus Friday afternoon.
Martinez Jennings is facing a felony charge with shooting deadly missiles/objects into an occupied vehicle. A window was damaged and one student suffered minor injuries, said the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The student suffering minor injuries had a scratch to her finger and did not need to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Her parents were notified and police said it is unclear if she was injured directly by a pellet or by glass.
Jacksonville Police said a witness saw Jennings shoot a long gun, BB/pellet-type rifle, at Bus No. 355. The bus was transporting 12 students from Wolfson High School, traveling on Hiram Street at about 2:50 p.m.
The bus is operated by First Student and stopped at Fairfax and West 13th streets a few blocks away.
“The bus driver did exactly what any bus driver should do, get the kids to safety,” JSO spokeswoman Officer Melissa Bujeda said to WJXT.
The witness showed officers where the shooting occurred and where Jennings was walking out of a residence with the pellet gun. Police said Jennings confessed to shooting the bus once he was taken into custody.
Jennings told investigators that he was bored and had been shooting at squirrels.
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said in a released statement to WJXT:
“No student should be fearful when riding to and from school on our buses due to violence. We are relieved that nobody was seriously injured and will actively work with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to determine who was behind this incomprehensible act.”
Students that were on the bus were transferred to another bus and seemed to be in good spirit, said police.
Duval County School Board police officers brought the students snacks while they were being interviewed for more than two hours. Parents picked up their kids from R.V. Daniels Elementary School.
