School Bus Shot at with BB Gun: Police

A rear passenger window on a Joliet Township school bus was struck by a BB gun Friday afternoon, according to Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton.

The shooting occurred at 4 p.m. near the intersection of McDonough and Houboult, Benton said. No kids were on the bus at the time and nobody was injured.

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“We have experienced a handful of similar BB gun shootings in this area over the past week,” Benton said.

Benton said there are currently no suspects.

Joliet Township High School Director of Communications Kristine Schlismann said the bus was traveling to JTHS for dismissal at the time of the shooting.

According to a source familiar with the shooting who requested to remain anonymous, the incident was downplayed by the transportation department and dispatchers didn’t notify bus drivers.

“There should have been a soft lockdown at (Joliet) West and Joliet Junior College,” the source said. “The drivers should have been told to be careful in certain areas (while) driving. Nothing was done and I’m so upset because protocol or something more should’ve been done. They act like drivers and our safety doesn’t matter and it’s so upsetting.”

Schlismann said no warnings or notifications were warranted because the shooting was a random occurrence and there were no students or individuals targeted.