Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Syracuse Police are still looking for the suspects involved in a Tuesday incident in which bullets hit a school bus on South Avenue in the city.
On Tuesday morning, a white van was removed from a lot along South Avenue near the scene of the incident.
The van had bullet holes and a shattered rear window. Police have not said if the van was used by a suspect in the shootout.
"We're all over down there looking for any type of video evidence that we might have from stores and shops or anything along those lines,” said Syracuse Police Sgt. Tom Connellan.
Investigators say the incident occurred at 3 p.m. on Tuesday while two vehicles chased each other along South Avenue near Castle Street. A passenger in one of the vehicles fired several rounds, hitting two other cars as well as the bus.
Police say it’s fortunate no one was hurt during the incident. They say about 15 rounds were fired during the incident.
After hearing the shots, the bus driver told students to get down and remain calm.
"We were told to stay in our seats or duck, people were freaking out,” said Tiffany Mercado, a student who was on the bus when the bullets hit.
The bus was then driven to a safe location. There was minor damage to the bus, which was back in service on Wednesday morning.
Syracuse Police are leaving no stone unturned in their investigation.
"The chief and the police department, as they do with all cases, but especially this one in particular, is spending all of our resources in making sure we find the culprits and are making sure this doesn't happen again," said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.
Anyone with information on the incident should call police at (315) 442-5222.
Police: School bus hit by gunfire, students not hurt
Feb. 7, 2012
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Syracuse Police say a school bus with 15 students on board was hit by gunfire Tuesday afternoon. It happened near the 800 and 900 blocks of South Avenue at around 3 p.m.
Syracuse Police Sergeant Tom Connellan says it appears two vehicles were chasing each other when gun shots were fired, hitting the bus, as well as two civilian vehicles.
“Witnesses are telling us that a male suspect was actually sitting outside the passenger side of the vehicle and fired multiple rounds towards a minivan that was being chased. We found upwards of 15 shell casings in the street,” Sgt. Connellan said.
Fourteen-year-old Tiffany Mercado was on board the bus when it was hit by the gunfire.
“We were told to stay in our seats or to duck and people were freaking out, others were sleeping and woke startled and scared,” Mercado told NewsChannel 9. “I jumped. It was out of nowhere and it sounded like it was right next to me.”
Tiffany says it was a terrifying ordeal for her and her classmates, some of which she says are now afraid to ride the bus.
The vehicles involved have been described as a tan or light colored sedan, and a light colored minivan.
No one was injured, Sgt. Connellan said.
If you know anything that could help police find the suspects in this case, call police at 442-5222.
