A 36-year-old Nashville woman is facing charges after school bus surveillance video allegedly shows her climbing aboard a Metro Nashville public school bus and joining two juveniles in a violent attack on another child, according to police. The incident happened on Jan. 12, 2025, and authorities say the juvenile victim was later taken to a hospital for chest pain. Police have identified the adult suspect as 36-year-old Shanita James.
What the surveillance shows
Investigators say footage captured James entering the MNPS bus at 196 Charles E. Davis Blvd. while two students were already fighting. The affidavit states that she pushed past the driver, who told her she was not allowed on board. According to the arrest documents, James then struck the juvenile multiple times, grabbed the child by the ankle, and dragged her several feet down the aisle, before leaving the bus as the two juveniles allegedly continued to kick and stomp the victim. The juvenile was taken to the hospital for chest pain, as reported by WSMV.
Bus safety and district response
Metro Nashville Public Schools points to bus monitors and drivers as frontline staff charged with de-escalating conflicts and keeping students safe during their rides to and from school. The district has recently highlighted veteran bus monitors and their role in maintaining calm, watchful environments on buses as part of its ongoing safety work. One such profile details the daily responsibilities and approach of an MNPS bus monitor at Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Charges and next steps
According to the arrest report, James was booked on charges that include assault and burglary of a motor vehicle and was held on a $6,500 bond. The affidavit also notes that a complaint was filed in juvenile court for the two juveniles who allegedly joined the attack, and authorities have not released a public court schedule for those cases, as reported by WSMV.
The incident feeds into ongoing concerns about student safety on buses and the difficulty schools face when off-campus conflicts cross onto district transportation. Further details are expected as the juvenile court matters and any additional criminal proceedings move ahead.
