1 dead after shooting in hijacked bus in Gwinnett County, wild police chase on I-85 – WSB-TV Channel 2

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The incident began at about 4:30 p.m. at 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard. Atlanta police said they responded to initial reports of an armed man holding hostages on the bus and a possible gun being fired, then immediately disconnected the call.

Police Chief Schierbaum said 911 then received a second call from a family member of a person on the bus, who communicated via text message to the person that the bus had been hijacked and the passengers were being held hostage.

A short time later, a third emergency call came in to 911 from the bus and the line remained open the entire time.

“This information that our callers and dispatchers heard was first shared with the Atlanta Police Department and then with the Georgia State Patrol and then with our partners in Gwinnett and DeKalb County to prevent and end this hostage situation,” Schierbaum said.

The bus traveled on I-85 into Gwinnett County, then got off at Jimmy Carter Boulevard and finally continued on Hugh Howell Road.

The Triple Team Traffic team observed the bus hitting numerous cars as it made its way through traffic.

At some point, all lanes of the highway were closed because police tried to stop the bus using various tactics.

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As the bus turned onto Jimmy Carter Boulevard, officers threw spike strips over the bus, seemingly rendering the tires unusable.

Numerous officers surrounded the bus after it turned onto Hugh Howell Road.

A SWAT vehicle appeared to be parked directly outside. The Georgia State Patrol, DeKalb County Police, DeKalb County Marshall’s Office and Atlanta Police all responded to the incident.

DeKalb County police said passengers got off after the bus stopped. Atlanta police said there were 17 people on the bus, including the bus driver.

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Officers found an adult victim on the bus who appeared to have died from a gunshot wound. Police have not released the identity of that person.

A Channel 2 Action News The photographer spoke to Dennis Durham, who said he was driving off the beaten track on Hugh Howell in Tucker when a car in front of him backed into him.

“The bus came right in front of us and knocked over a lot of these cars, causing them to crash into each other,” Durham said. “I saw so many police cars in so many different places that my head was spinning.”

Channel 2 Action News I spoke to another man who said his wife was on the bus and that the suspect appeared to be suffering from a mental illness.

Numerous vehicles along the bus route had to be towed away after collisions.

Sheirbaum thanked everyone involved for ending the incident so quickly and peacefully.

“You saw today the collective effort and dedication of law enforcement officers working together to save lives, free hostages and ensure this ends,” Schierbaum said.

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