ORLANDO, FL – An ordinary morning turned harrowing for a group of students after their school bus became embroiled in a shootout at a local bus stop. The unsettling event occurred at 6 a.m. in the Carver Shores area, where two cars exchanged a flurry of gunfire, totaling 27 rounds. Miraculously, despite one of the bullets hitting the bus, none of the 30 students aboard were harmed.
The incident was a rude awakening for residents, who were stirred from their sleep by the sound of gunshots. Responding officers found themselves at a scene of chaos, with the bus stop now a site of intense police activity. Evidence was meticulously collected as the community processed the shock of such violence.
Displaying quick thinking, the bus driver immediately evacuated the area upon hearing the shots and ensured the students’ safety by driving to Doctor Phillips High School. “It’s unimaginable to think your child might not come home the same,” said Marisol Cruz, a grandparent who takes her grandchildren to school each day.
Police confirmed that a man was wounded during the shootout but was discharged from the hospital within hours. The investigation relies heavily on bus surveillance footage, which captured much of the incident, and the bus driver’s identification of one shooter. Authorities have detained a juvenile suspect, whose name remains confidential.
The case also led to the rearrest of Willie Howard, previously charged with tampering with evidence after allegedly hiding the firearm used in the shootout at a relative’s residence. Howard now faces more severe charges, including attempted murder, and is held without the possibility of bail.
Residents are left to contend with the reality of violence encroaching on their everyday lives. Howard is set to appear in court next week, as police continue efforts to obtain cooperation from the injured man, who has been less than forthcoming.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, the incident highlights the unpredictable nature of violence and its impact on innocent bystanders, including children.