JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said the bus driver involved in Thursday's shooting kept a dangerous situation from becoming much worse, thanks to his decision not to let students off at a bus stop near two people he deemed suspicious.
Action News looked into the training process for bus drivers and learned they are trained to deal with dangerous situations.
The bus involved in Thursday’s shooting was from Birnie Bus Service Inc. and the company said it was proud of the driver’s actions.
The company told Action News all bus drivers go through a 40-hour training class and Duval County requires an additional 20 hours.
Bus drivers are training in dealing with situations including student fights, hijackings and scenarios like Thursday's shooting.
Some parents said they were grateful for the bus driver's actions.
"I'm really proud of the actions that he took and that more kids weren't hurt," parent David Richardson said.
Birnie Bus Service Inc. said all bus drivers go through a background check that includes fingerprints.
One parent said despite the training, she believes an armed officer is needed to keep kids safe.
"Either have a designated police officer at every stop or have them riding on the bus," grandparent Betty Daniels said.
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Vitti said there were two bus monitors on the bus involved in the shooting.
"That's how we've been more proactive regarding school safety on buses," Vitti said.
Vitti said the district had no knowledge of the possibility of a shooting.
DCPS said the district requires at least one bus monitor for buses that service kids in exceptional education and student services and alternative schools.
Bus monitors are there to help the bus drivers and keep students safe and some parents said they would like to see bus monitors on every bus.
"We need more security measures," parent Sirena Smith said. "My daughter is in third grade and it worries me and I don't want that to happen to my child."
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