PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — Police released pictures of three suspects who they said assaulted a student on a Prince George’s County school bus on Monday.
The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) said that officers were called to Oxon Hill around 4:55 p.m.
The bus had stopped at Iverson Street and Sutler Drive to let students get off the bus. While it was stopped, the three suspects — all suspected to be under 18 — got on the bus and started attacking the victim — a boy whose age was not disclosed.
PGPD said that one of the suspects had a gun and tried to fire at the victim many times. They said that they “believe the weapon malfunctioned.”
Community members in the area where the incident happened say they’re not surprised.
“We have fights around here a lot,” said long-time resident James Brown.
Brown said the community needs to step up, including police, parents and the judiciary system.
“We had policemen, good police around here, and they’re not here anymore. We need some more police officers. We need some parents to get up and say let’s do it together,” he said.
“The bad kids — put them in there, let them stay in that detention for a while, don’t have them come out the next day,” he continued.
The victim had minor injuries. A bus driver and bus aide — both adults — were either on the bus or nearby at the time. Neither of them were injured.
The union representing Prince George’s County bus drivers said that the bus driver and bus aide are currently taking time off and are afraid to return to work after the incident. They said the entire incident is unacceptable.
“We don’t want the school yard to become the graveyard,” said Martin Diggs with the bus driver union.
We are horrified by this incident and grateful that no lives were lost. Our highest priority is keeping students, staff and families safe inside Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) classrooms, on school grounds and school buses. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners during this investigation to ensure safety for all members of the PGCPS community.
Statement from Prince George’s County Public Schools
