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Weapon fired at Freedom Middle School bus with students on board
UPDATE: (7:27 p.m.) Authorities have arrested 18-year-old Xavier Lewis, according to a press release from Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Capt. James Bibens.
Lewis was charged with unlawful shooting of an occupied vehicle and reckless handling of a firearm. He was released on his personal recognizance. One pump air action BB rifle was seized, police said.
A bus carrying 32 Freedom Middle School students home was shot at with what is believed to be a BB gun about 3 p.m. today in the Salem Fields community, according to information from Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Capt. James Bibens and schools spokeswoman Rene Daniels.
No students were injured but Daniels said school officials found a small dent above the line of windows toward the front of the bus.
The bus driver provided a description of the shooter and deputies currently are questioning a young man believed to be 18 years old, Bibens said.
Whoever is responsible is subject to a felony charge of shooting a missile at an occupied vehicle, Bibens said.
Bus 118 was on Rappahannock Drive approaching the stop sign at the intersection with Smith Station Road when the incident occurred in an area where there are townhouses.
The bus returned to Freedom Middle as a precaution and students were transferred to another bus to be taken home, Daniels said.
The school division transportation department is assisting the Sheriff’s Office with the investigation, Daniels said.
