Neighborhood dispute blamed for gunfire near school bus

WHISTLER, Ala. (WALA) - A 19-year-old is in jail charged with firing a gun at a school bus stop.

Deandre Jordan was arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the shooting. He's charged with reckless endangerment, and carrying a pistol without a permit.

"When I heard the shots, I got up, because it sounded like it was so close to this house," Valerie Standmire said.

Standmire was right, there were gunshots just a few yards from her home on St. Stephen's Road in Whistler.

No one was hurt during the incident, but neighbors and school officials said Wednesday was the second day in a row the bus stop had been targeted. About 35 or 40 Blount High School students were either already on or getting on the school bus when Jordan allegedly starting firing.

People in the neighborhood who heard gunshots said someone also fired shots on Tuesday at the same bus stop.

"I know it was gunshots, because it was four shots," Standmire said.

Mobile County Public School System Transportation Director Pat Mitchell confirmed it was the second day the bus was targeted.

"The information that we received was that there was a dispute that transpired perhaps in the community where these individuals live... Those individuals fired shots in the air while children were in the process of boarding the bus," Mitchell said.

According to Mitchell, the bus driver called 911 both days. After the children were all on the bus, the driver moved to a different location to wait for police.

"The weapon was not fired toward the bus in any form or fashion, they fired the weapon in the air, and we're glad to know that know one was injured," Mitchell said.

Jordan has a court date for Oct. 24. So, with one suspect behind bars, what happens Thursday?

"I have been notified and advised that the police department will have officers on standby in the immediate area, but again, having the individuals in custody, that's some easement right there for the parents knowing that their children will be safe," Mitchell said.