Pellet gun shatters school bus window in Murphy; Police searching for suspect

MURPHY, NC - Shortly after 4:00 pm this afternoon, the Cherokee County 911 Dispatch Center received a call regarding one of the Cherokee County school buses being struck by a projectile and shattering one of the windows. This incident occurred while the bus was traveling on Sunrise Street and Fain Street inside the Murphy town limits. When this occurred, law enforcement officers with the Cherokee County Schools Company Police and the Murphy Police Department, as well as Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area.

During this time, there were four Cherokee County students on board the bus ranging from different age groups. No injuries were reported from either the students or the bus driver. These students were then taken home after the incident occurred. Initially it was thought that a small caliber rifle or handgun round struck the window, but upon further investigation, a small pellet fired from a pellet gun was located.

“The Murphy Police Department would like to thank all of the assisting agencies and the Cherokee County 911 Dispatch Center for their assistance in this matter. We are fortunate that no one was injured in this incident. To the school bus driver, the students and their parents, please rest assured that we are doing everything within our power to locate the suspects responsible for this. This investigation is still ongoing and we will keep the public aware of any changes as it continues.”

Thank You, Chief Justin J. Jacobs
Justin J. Jacobs
Chief of Police
Murphy Police Department

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