Chaos erupted in east Charlotte when a school bus carrying Albemarle Middle School students was caught in gunfire, according to police reports. The incident occurred on Monday and involved two students being injured by shattered glass after their bus was struck amidst a drug-related dispute. WCNC Charlotte reported that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's preliminary investigation suggests, the shooting was not targeting the school bus directly, but it was rather, a consequential misfortune.
Authorities responded to the scene near the intersection of Idlewild Road and W.T. Harris Boulevard around 4 p.m., where they later apprehended 21-year-old Lamarius Ramel Anthony. According to an interview conducted by WBTV, Anthony was subsequently charged with felony possession of cocaine and carrying a concealed weapon and is now held on a $9,000 bond. Despite repeated requests for information over 24 hours, Charlotte police were initially unresponsive or provided minimal details until their update on Tuesday evening.
In the wake of the incident, Principal Perry of Albemarle Road Middle School relayed a message to the families, notifying them of the serious event and providing assurances about student safety and available counseling resources. This information was also shared by WCNC Charlotte. Additionally, the owner of an Infiniti that was also hit by gunfire during the shooting, which was discovered to be stolen, expressed heartbreak over her vehicle's involvement in the distressing situation.
Amidst the turmoil, Eyerson Balbuena, a security guard for the school at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, took swift action. As recounted in a statement obtained by WSOCTV, Balbuena stated, "The little girl said, 'Oh, I need help because somebody shot the bus.' That’s when I’m running," he then coordinated with the bus driver to evacuate the students to safety. Student Ja’Mya Dawkins, who was treated for injuries caused by shattered glass, described the harrowing experience of the shooting and the relief she felt from the immediate response.
