CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two students from Albemarle Middle School were hurt by shattered glass when gunfire struck a school bus in east Charlotte on Monday, police said.
Multiple agencies responded to a reported shooting on a school bus at the intersection of Idlewild Road and W.T. Harris Boulevard around 4 p.m. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police issued a statement saying two students were injured by shattered glass, but a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools spokesperson said just one student was hurt during the incident.
Detectives said the school bus and an Infiniti were hit by gunfire during the shooting. A suspect was arrested shortly after the incident. CMPD hasn't identified the suspect. WCNC Charlotte has learned the infiniti involved was stolen. WCNC Charlotte spoke with the owner of the car and she said her car was stolen on Friday. She said she us heart broken that her car was involved in this shooting.
CMS sent out the following message in response to the incident:
"Albemarle Road Middle School Families, this is Principal Perry. I am reaching out to inform you of a serious incident involving bus 1748. A dispute outside the bus led to a shooting which broke a window on the bus. One student on the bus was injured and is being treated by MEDIC. No other injuries have been reported. Law enforcement is investigating.
Another bus is on its way to take any remaining students home.
It is natural to feel anxious or frightened by incidents like this. Our crisis counselors will be on campus tomorrow if students need support. Resources for speaking to your child about violence are linked below. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our number one priority. Thank you for your continued support of Albemarle Road Middle School."
WCNC Charlotte spoke to the man that sprung into action when the shooting first happened. Eyersol Belbuel had a goal of keeping everyone safe and Monday night, he said he want home to his family proud.
“I did a great job today because I helped another person," Belbuel said.
He is a security guard at the Ablemarle Road Recreation Center and heard the CMS bus pull up like normal. He said he then heard gunshots and within seconds ran out of the center and into the parking lot.
“I don’t have the time to think about something," Belbuel said. “I heard somebody say 'I need help'. The driver, she opened the door and I took everyone out of the bus.”
Belbuel ushered dozens of students to safety, some of whom were injured.
“I’m keeping her safe and taking her hands and trying to speak to her because she is bleeding a lot, because she was nervous," Belbuel said. "I did this because I have family, I have children -- that’s why I help everybody.”
No further information is available at this time. More details will be released when they are available.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.