Moore County School Police (MCS Police) has concluded its investigation into the incident last Tuesday afternoon when a Pinecrest High School bus was struck by a bullet in Pinebluff, said the school district in a press release on Thursday, Oct. 6.
Pinecrest High School bus #53 was struck by a bullet at approximately 4 p.m. while stopped at the intersection of R Sands and Pinebluff Lake Road in Pinebluff. There were no injuries to students or staff.
The bus was stopped at the intersection letting a student off the bus when the driver heard a gunshot. Not knowing where it came from nor that there was any damage to the bus, the driver proceeded to the next stop approximately one mile down the road at Countryside Drive. All five remaining students on the bus disembarked as it was their usual stop. At that time, one of the students noticed a bullet hole through a passenger window about four rows from the back of the bus. The bullet then lodged in the ceiling of the bus.
The bus monitor called 911, and MCS Police and the Moore County Sheriff’s Office responded. MCS Police immediately started an investigation with assistance from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office. That evening, school administration notified media as well as Pinecrest students, staff and parents of the shooting and that it appeared to be an isolated incident. The bus route proceeded as usual the next day with MCS Police escort to reassure parents and passengers.
The investigation determined that the bullet was a ricochet from a firearm being used by a juvenile who was aiming the weapon at trees. The bus was not intended to be a target. The firearm belonged to a family member of the juvenile and had not been secured properly in the home. The juvenile is not a Moore County Schools student.
The MCS Police Department took the lead in the investigation with the Sheriff’s Office providing assistance. This cooperation helped to reach a swift conclusion to the incident. Moore County Schools is appreciative of the collaboration and coordination between the Sheriff’s Office and MCS Police.
The case of the juvenile in question is being referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice. On October 5, sheriff’s investigators charged David Locklear, age 62, of Pinebluff, with one count of misdemeanor storage of firearms to protect minors pending a court appearance on Nov. 3 in Moore County district court.
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