Parents worry after rocks were thrown at school buses in Clay County

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Students were rattled on the ride to school Monday morning, after hearing loud noises that sounded like gunshots.

Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office responded to County Road 218 after receiving reports of shots fired at local school buses but found evidence of rocks thrown instead.

The Sheriff’s Office is searching for the person(s) responsible for striking two Clay County school buses with rocks during the morning routes.

The Clay County School District said two of their buses were damaged by the rocks.

Deputies found some lodged into the side of the bus, other broke through the windows. No one was hurt.

STORY: Victims claim rocks were thrown at their cars

STORY: Neighbors in Brunswick say kids are throwing rocks, branches at oncoming cars

"He gets on the bus before 6 in the morning and they were headed toward Penny Farms to drop him off at the retirement community,” Cathy Kite said about her grandson. “They heard a loud noise, sounded like gunshots.”

A district spokesperson said each bus driver followed protocol by pulling over and contacting law enforcement.

The District later sent out a voicemail to parents about the expected delay.

Bus drivers will use other buses to continue their routes as scheduled.

At last check, deputies have not identified the suspect(s).

“Down the road here they’ve gotten the kids once before -- throwing at cars -- not at the buses, but that’s all that I know of,” Kite said.

STORY: CCSO: Vehicle damage caused by rocks being thrown by young boys, not gunshots

Other parents told Action News Jax they have concerns for their children’s safety on the bus.

The District sent us this statement in response:

"Clay County District Schools is thankful that everyone remained safe and followed protocol during this morning's incident involving two schools buses that were struck by rocks. At this time, the Clay County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident to identify the person(s) responsible. All routes have resumed as normal. As always, safety is the District's top priority and it will continue to foster a safe and respectful environment for all."