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Zenger
Zenger
National
William McGee

School Bust: Gunwoman Seized After Opening Fire On Kids School Bus

A woman has been arrested after opening fire on a school bus while children were on board.

The shocking incident took place near Suwanee, in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA, on the morning of Monday, May 9.

Amazingly, no children were harmed, but the bus driver was injured by flying shards of glass when bullets shattered the vehicle windows.

Witnesses say they heard around a dozen shots.

Police named the suspect as Celeste Michele Saunders, 57, but gave no reason for the shooting.

The Gwinnett County Government said on Monday: “Gwinnett County Police officers have a woman in custody after shooting at a Gwinnett County School bus with elementary kids inside.

Celeste Michele Saunders of Suwanee who was arrested after she opened fire at school bus in Gwinnett County neighborhood in May 2022. (Gwinnett County Police/Zenger).

“Shortly after 7:15 A.M., Gwinnett County officers responded to shots fired call near Highland Gate Circle and Highland Gate Drive, where a female fired multiple gunshots at a school bus with children inside.

“When Gwinnett County Police officers arrived, they took a female suspect into custody without further incident. No other suspects are outstanding.

“The school bus was carrying several children who were unharmed during the incident. The school bus driver suffered minor injuries from shattered glass.”

Police at the scene where Celeste Michele Saunders of Suwanee opened fire at school bus in Gwinnett County neighborhood in May 2022. (Zenger).

The Gwinnett County Government said later that day: “Gwinnett County Police have arrested Celeste Michele Saunders and charged her with Cruelty to Children in the 1st Degree (4 counts)., Aggravated Assault (5 counts)., Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of Certain Felonies, and Unauthorized Discharge of a Firearm Near Public Street, in connection with the GCPS school bus shooting from earlier this morning.

“There is no threat to our local community. Saunders lived in the neighborhood, and this was an isolated incident.

Celeste Michele Saunders of Suwanee was arrested after she opened fire at school bus in Gwinnett County neighborhood in May 2022. (Gwinnett County Police/Zenger).

“The bus driver Patricia Rodriguez (56-year-old female from Sugar Hill) sustained minor injuries from fragmented glass and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

“All children were physically unharmed.”

It is not clear exactly how many children were on the bus at the time of the shooting.

Saunders was remanded in custody at the Gwinnett County Adult Detention Center, in Lawrenceville.

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