Police are searching for the gunman responsible for striking a school bus full of preschoolers in Camden with a stray bullet.
Police say 27 children, ages 3 to 5, were on board headed home from a Head Start program when the bus was hit by one bullet around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at the corner of 9th Street and Ferry Avenue.
The unidentified gunman fired 14 rounds in all from a rifle, according to police. One child was taken to the hospital and treated for a minor burn from a flying fragment.
Merilee Rutolo, who runs the preschool program, says some of the parents were not aware of what happened.
The students were checked by emergency medical personnel before being returned to their parents.
“I can’t even get it together right now,” said Shanice Williams, a parent of one of the children. “I’m still shaking.”
Investigators say it appears the bus was not the intended target. Instead, they suspect the gunman was sending a warning message to rivals.
“We do believe that this is rooted in drug activity,” said Camden Police Chief Scott Thomson. “This is one gang shooting into an area of operation for another gang.”
Residents in the housing project where the shooting took place say they’re scared and frustrated.
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“They’ve got the whole force down here now,” Jeanine Freeman said. “Where were you before it started?!”
Officials say daytime shootings have been down in the city because of increased police patrols.
Police are currently offering a $20,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the gunman’s arrest.
