Driver fatally shot aboard Alabama school bus

Updated 10:44 PM ET

MIDLAND CITY, Ala. Authorities in Alabama say a man boarded a school bus, shot the driver several times, then removed a 6-year-old passenger and ran.

The Dale County Sheriff tells WBMA-TV that the man shot the driver Tuesday after he refused to let the child off the bus. The bus driver later died of his wounds. His identity has not been released.

Authorities say the shooter took the child to an area behind a nearby church, and police were negotiating with him.

Midland City police would not comment, and a call to the Dale City Sheriff's office was not answered Tuesday.

Rachel David is a spokeswoman for the police department in the nearby town of Dothan. She said authorities from multiple agencies were on the scene late Tuesday but gave no other information.

[TimeToEvolve]

The driver should have had a loaded assault weapon on the dashboard. And he should follow the law of the land and shoot first, does not matter who or why.

[RLLca]

Not against guns, but this guy "once beat a dog to death with a lead pipe" and has shot at other people during scuffles. How did it get this far?

[TimeToEvolve]

If you are killed by a violent, disturbed person with a "legal" weapon, "blame yo'self"- Herman Cain 2012

[djb28us]

I am so sick of the people in this world.

[TNC420]

Why is nobody asking questions? Why are you all so quick to jump into the gun debate? How did this man board this bus? The bus stopped to let kids off. Well it all looks wide open to me, the bus driver didn't see this old dude standing there? He didn't question it? That is the bus drivers mistake then. I'm sorry you can blame guns all day that's all they want you to do. Here's the big question...What is going on now? Did all the media punch out of work at 10pm last night and called it a day? Where is the media? What is going on with the boy? You people didn't even ask what happened to the boy? You should all be sooooo proud of yourselves.

[GeniusNutSack]

you are a moron

[Bronovan]

Maybe the media is finally taking some responsibility and NOT reporting every detail of this tragedy. The people who need to know already know the answers to these questions. TNC, you have no right to know anything about this situation. Nobody has to tell YOU anything. If you needed to know, you would know. You definitely do not NEED to know anything. Who the hell are you? You have demands for the media? Lol, get off your ass and go find out if you are sooooo concerned. Another overweight American who thinks he/she is entitled to information of any kind.

[MIO42]

Wow !
This arm the populace is really bringing out the NUTBARS
The Country has embraced a whole Culture of "DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO UNTO YOU"!
Can that be fixed?
Sadly , many more will die and families will be torn apart before one small step is taken
How can you fix a problem when it is ADVOCATED by the very people who are the PROBLEM
Answer
You can't

Brave driver
RIP

[balexander3613]

Good morning, MIO42. I've never written a reply before, but your assessment of the problem and its irreparable nature were absolutely eloquently stated.

[Gunnut-556]

All of you people act like this is just a wave of violence that has occurred. When in fact, it is the same story that it has been for 100's of years. People will commit crimes and prey on unarmed victims. If you wuss libs don't have the spine to defend yourselves or your family...then that's quite all right. Probably be reading on of these articles about you one of these days...but hey that's your right. So keep your mouth shut about mine and carry on. By the way MATHION...You are a disgusting thing. You should be spayed to prevent any other disgusthing things like you. Your logic is so stupid. What does a cop carry? A sidearm and a rifle....but this Marine Vet who is more qualified to carry both of them shouldn't? Yeah that makes a lot of sense

[GeniusNutSack]

I doubt you have any spine. You pro gun people are just insecure whack jobs. You act like you are so brave but the opposite is the reality. If confronted by someone you likely would poop your pants.LOL.

[sonoma57]

Unfortunately I don't think the bus driver would have been in a position to defend himself, or the children, even if he was armed. The other scenario, if there was some sort of shoot out between the two, who is to say some of the children couldn't have been hurt in the cross fire. This is another unfortunate episode involving guns. Although I would love to see a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, I believe honestly purchased handguns should not be included, even after this! To make them honestly purchased the loopholes need to be closed.

[Jonseen]

Chicago has strict gun laws (no handguns in the city) and yet they've had 50 murders since Newtown that were associated with guns (I'm quoting their own article on yesterday's news.) So now the folks in Chicago are wondering if maybe the problem is moral values rather than guns.

YA THINK???

[mmoore1432]

This my community whom you are commenting about. We are in the 8th hour of this stand off.. rather then argue about gun rights why don't you take a moment to say a prayer for all that are involved. Thanks (a resident of Dale County Al.)

[krfamily]

We have heard nothing is the child alive?

[mmoore1432]

They are now going into our 15th hour..they do believe Ethan is still alive. He allowed them to send his Medication thru a pipe they have been communicating thru. It is believed that the bunker is rigged with explosives. The FBI has taken over negotiations.

[AliceKramden]

The only answer is everyone must be armed with assault rifles.