ALTON, Ill. – The Alton Police Department says multiple suspects opened fire on a student shortly after they stepped off a school bus in a targeted attack.

No injuries were reported from the incident, though the suspects remain at large as of Thursday.

The shots were fired around 7 p.m. Wednesday in the 1200 block of Central Avenue, according to a news release from the Alton Police Department.

Investigators say an Alton School District bus was actively dropping off night school students in the area when multiple individuals began shooting in the direction of a student who had just exited the bus.

Alton police say, based on evidence and information collected, this was believed to be a targeted attack.

No individuals nor the school bus were struck by gunfire. Alton police say the bus driver acted swiftly, driving to a safe location and following safety protocols to protect the remaining students on board.

“I want to commend the bus driver for their quick thinking and immediate action in ensuring the
safety of the other students,” said Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford. “The safety of our community – especially our children – is our highest priority. When we arrest the individuals responsible for this brazen, reckless, and dangerous behavior, it is my hope the justice system delivers the maximum sentence possible so that we in this community need not worry about these individuals causing harm and trauma to our children.”

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Alton Police’s Criminal Investigation Division at 618-463-3505 (ext. 634). Police are also asking residents around Alton to check their video surveillance systems from around 6:42 p.m. Wednesday and upload any relevant video here.