Chicago Student Fires Handgun on School Bus in Bridgeport

A 12-year-old student with disabilities fired a handgun after reportedly finding it inside an unattended bag belonging to a school bus aide on Chicago’s South Side, authorities said.

The incident happened at approximately 2:25 p.m. Monday, September 14, in the 3500 block of South Wallace Street in the Bridgeport neighborhood. The gunfire shattered a window on a school bus, but no students or staff members were injured.

The Brief

According to officials at Minnie Miñoso Elementary School, the student discovered the firearm inside a bag left on the bus. The child then fired one round, breaking a bus window.

The bag reportedly belonged to an adult male bus aide. After the shot was fired, the aide retrieved the firearm and the bag before leaving the area on foot, according to reports.

Chicago police responded to the scene and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the firearm was left unattended on the bus.

What We Know

The school was placed under a temporary soft lockdown while police secured the area. Students were later released to their families in staggered groups.

Officials confirmed that no children or school employees were hurt. The damage reported so far involved a school bus window.

The Chicago Police Department is investigating the incident and is seeking information about the bus aide who reportedly left the scene. Authorities have not publicly announced whether any charges have been filed.

The incident has also raised questions about firearm storage and safety procedures on school transportation. Investigators are expected to examine how the weapon came to be inside the unattended bag and whether any safety policies were violated.

What’s Next

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and locate the bus aide. Additional details about the firearm, the circumstances surrounding its presence on the bus and any potential legal action may be released as the investigation develops.

Families and school officials are also expected to receive further information about safety procedures following the incident.