Alabama Gunman Shoots School Bus Driver, Takes Child Hostage
The man who is believed to be holed up in the Midland City hostage situation following a shooting on a school bus is Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, who was scheduled to be in court Wednesday for a bench trial on a menacing charge, according to the Dothan Eagle.
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James Edward Davis, Jr., who lives near Dykes on Private Road 1539, told the Dothan Eagle that Dykes pulled a gun on him and his daughter on Dec. 10 after Dykes believed Davis had driven in Dykes’ yard. Davis said he reported Dykes to the Dale County Sheriff’s Department. Dykes was arrested Dec. 22 and charged with menacing.
Screenshot from video from http://www.dothaneagle.com
A hostage situation is developing in Alabama after a suspect shot and killed a bus driver and took a child from the bus in the southeastern town of Midland City.
The suspect is reportedly hiding out in a bunker near his residence with the hostage, and has told police he will not hurt the child.
Local law enforcement have called in the FBI to assist with the case.
The Dale County Sherriff’s told the local WBMA-TV that the suspect, identified by a report on DothanEagle.com as 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, shot the driver after he refused to allow the six-year-old child off of the bus.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, later died from the gunshot wounds.
Dykes had been arrested in December 2012 in a gun-related incident and charged with menacing.
screenshot from video from http://www.dothaneagle.com
The Dale County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on the matter:
“The Dale County Sheriff’s Department has established a command post location at the intersection of 231 North and Private Road 1539 in Dale County, Alabama following a shooting. Multiple agencies are present assisting with the incident. Authorities say a call was received regarding a shooting involving a Dale County School Bus at 3:36 p.m.”
“At this time limited details are being released however the Sheriff’s Department has confirmed one adult male was shot and the suspect is not in custody. Further details will be released as they become available.”
Local school officials have decided to close schools on January 30 in light of the situation.
screenshot from video from http://www.dothaneagle.com
screenshot from video from http
www.dothaneagle.com
The article however, fails to mention what branch of the military the shooter was currently or formerly affiliated with.