Shooting near Providence school bus filled with children

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE): Providence Police are investigating after an alleged shooting near a school bus carrying elementary school students.

Major David Lapatin with the Providence Police Department said the bus was on Alverson Avenue near Hartford Avenue on Thursday afternoon when the driver witnessed a shooting. The driver saw an argument and then one person fire a gun out the car window, according to Lapatin. 

The driver told all the children on board to get on the floor. 

According to Lapatin, police were not notified until the driver returned to the bus company around 40 minutes later. Lapatin told ABC6 that when police arrived there were no shell casings. 

In a statement from the Director of Communications for Providence Public Schools: 

“On Thursday afternoon, a school bus serving Carnevale Elementary School drove by a neighborhood altercation on Alverson Street where gunshots were allegedly fired. Following protocols, the adults on the bus instructed all students to shelter below the windows, and the bus driver immediately drove away from the situation. Police are investigating. It is important to stress that this was an isolated incident and that the school bus was in no way targeted. Parents of all passengers were notified and social workers were on site the next day to assist with any students who needed support.” 

©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020