A 15-year-old Virginia boy has died after he was shot at a bus stop while waiting for his school bus.
The teen, who has not been named, was shot in Newport shortly before 6:20am on Tuesday morning.
Cops raced to the scene after ShotSpotter technology alerted them to gunshots in the area, where they found the teen suffering a life-threatening bullet wound.
The victim was hospitalized but tragically died from his injuries hours later, as cops launched an investigation that has so far turned up no suspects.
A 15-year-old Virginia boy has died after he was shot at a bus stop while waiting for his school bus in the town of Newport on Tuesday morning
The shooting unfolded at around 6:20am, with a witness saying a lone gunman fired at another student before fleeing the scene
Authorities have not offered any motive for the early morning shooting, however Newport Police Chief Steve Drew said early indications are that the shooting was likely targeted.
This isnt a random act, I dont believe, he said. (It was) some type of situation between an individual and maybe one other, we just got to sift through that.
The teenager was gunned down in front of several other students at their school, Menchville High, with one witness saying the shooting unfolded before the sun had risen.
The witness, 15, who did not give her name, told The Virginian Pilot that moments before the shooting she saw this guy walk past me wearing a grey hoodie and a blue medical mask covering their face.
She said she initially didnt think anything of it but thought it was kind of weird.
Then, she watched the man walk around a small apartment building and return to the middle of the street - and that was when she saw him pull out a gun.
Police have made no arrests or identified a motive in the attack, but admitted that said early indications show that the shooting was likely targeted
The teenager was gunned down in front of several other students at their school
At the same time, the victim had just arrived at the bus stop, and the man proceeded to fire a handgun at him several times.
I saw him pull the gun out, I saw the flash, and I ran, the witness said.
The gunman fled the scene and cops had made no arrests as of Wednesday afternoon. It is not clear where the victim was hit.
The father of the girl who witnessed the shooting told the Virginian Pilot that the shooting has rocked the town of Newport, adding: Thank God my kid didn’t get hit, because he was shooting in her direction.
The girls father said the school bus arrived almost immediately after the victim was gunned down, and remained at the scene as first responders raced to help the boy.
Menchville High School principal Jason Hollar informed parents and staff of the boys death in a tragic statement.
Tragic events like this can be difficult to process, he said.
We recognize that some students and staff will need additional support and encouragement. Members of the school division’s support and response team are available at school today to meet and talk with students and staff.
Drew added that there would be an officer stationed at the bus stop for the remainder of the week, but did not cancel classes.
The father of a witness admitted his relief following the shooting, saying: Thank God my kid didn’t get hit, because he was shooting in her direction
The shooting has stunned the town of Newport, Virginia
Newport Mayor Phillip Jones said in a statement that the shooting was a senseless tragedy as he praised the quick response from authorities.
A young boy’s life has been cut short, and my heart aches for his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time.
Words cannot fully convey the grief we feel, his statement read.