MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Police Department was called to Sandusky Street on Monday afternoon when the driver of a Mid-Ohio Transit Authority shuttle bus heard what sounded like a gunshot just prior to the side window shattering.
“After going over the report, the bus driver said he heard a gunshot, and he possibly could have, and then the glass breaking,” said Detective Sgt. Jeff Jacobs. “[The officer] on the scene took pictures and examined the bus, but she didn’t find any evidence of anything that would have been of a substantial nature as far as if someone would have shot a 22 [caliber gun] or a hand gun. It would have done more damage, like exit out another window, or [a bullet] would have been lodged in the bus somehow.”
Although it is not certain what caused the sound and the window to break, Jacob suspects it could have possibly been a high-powered pellet gun or BB gun that caused the damage.
“At this point in time, [the officer] has written it up as a damage report,” he said.
The officer did speak with passersby, and people in the area later that afternoon, but no one heard a gunshot during the time frame of the incident, said Jacobs.
Jacobs also said that after the driver heard the shot he stopped at a safe place and called the MVPD.
When the incident occurred, the driver of the MOTA bus was driving on a regular route with one passenger.
“No one was injured, but both she and the driver were shook up by what had happened,” said Hilary Patterson, spokeswoman for MOTA.
The vehicle was taken out of service until repairs to the window are made.
“This is our slower time of the summer season so we are not as busy, but we are working on getting the vehicle fixed today,” said Patterson. “It was frightening to have something like that happen. I hope they find out who did it. ... I am glad the driver was able to keep control of the vehicle and that everyone was OK.”
