Published: 30 January, 2013, 06:48
Screenshot from video from http://www.dothaneagle.com
A hostage situation is developing in Alabama after a suspect shot and killed a bus driver and took a child from the bus in the southeastern town of Midland City.
The suspect is reportedly hiding out in a bunker near his residence with the hostage, and has told police he will not hurt the child.
Local law enforcement have called in the FBI to assist with the case.
The Dale County Sherriff’s told the local WBMA-TV that the suspect, identified by a report on DothanEagle.com as 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, shot the driver after he refused to allow the six-year-old child off of the bus.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, later died from the gunshot wounds.
Dykes had been arrested in December 2012 in a gun-related incident and charged with menacing.
screenshot from video from http://www.dothaneagle.com
The Dale County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on the matter:
“The Dale County Sheriff’s Department has established a command post location at the intersection of 231 North and Private Road 1539 in Dale County, Alabama following a shooting. Multiple agencies are present assisting with the incident. Authorities say a call was received regarding a shooting involving a Dale County School Bus at 3:36 p.m.”
“At this time limited details are being released however the Sheriff’s Department has confirmed one adult male was shot and the suspect is not in custody. Further details will be released as they become available.”
Local school officials have decided to close schools on January 30 in light of the situation.
DEVELOPING STORY
Bus drivers are not to allow any but custodians approved by the custodial parent to meet a child at the approved bus stop. If the bus driver does not recognize the person meeting thei charge, they are not to let the child off of the bus., but return too the school with the child. (under age ?)f The same as the pick up rules at public school. Only it is more difficult for the bus drivers. This is supposed to prevent non-custodial abductions of children. I does help. But it also places the bus drivers and school staff in that proverbial spot: between a rock and a hard place. From this article, it sounds like this bus driver is a hero. I know some bus-driver bully horror stories, too, but this one was doing the right thing. They aren’t suppossed to allow the child off of the bus anywhere except the designated correct home bus stop, not even to the approved and recognized parent. Or back at the school into the care of approved and recognized staff, not into the care of anyone else.—-Granny Bear
Man, what’s gotten into the USA water supply? LOL–I think “Developing Story” says it all…It’s all just that….with Civil War as the endgame–not only our guns…