SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Deputies have arrested two women who allegedly confronted the driver of a loaded school bus - with one accused of getting in the bus and taking the keys.
The Sumter County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) said the incident happened on Wednesday when 29-year-old Shapoleon Sheqveia Hayward allegedly got on a school bus and confronted the driver. The sheriff's office said she refused to get off the bus despite being told to do so several times.
News 19 reached out to the Sumter School District, and learned from a spokesperson that the bus was headed to Lemira Elementary School.
"The safety of our students is our top priority," a spokesperson for the district said in a statement. "Protocols are in place. Drivers are also trained to try to de-escalate the situation and to contact law enforcement immediately."
Witnesses told deputies that Hayward manipulated the controls of the bus and removed the keys from the ignition, throwing them in a nearby overgrown lot.
Another woman, 27-year-old Janaya Mitchell, allegedly shouted threats while standing outside the bus. The sheriff's office said witnesses overheard both women using their phones to invite other people to the location to fire their guns into the bus.
The sheriff's office said the suspects had left when deputies arrived. A K-9 officer later found the keys.
An investigation, including witness statements, led to warrants for both women, who surrendered on Thursday. Hayward and Mitchell face charges of interfering with the operation of a school bus and aggravated breach of peace. Both were taken to the Sumter County Detention Center and released on a $10,000 bond.
In a statement on Friday, Sheriff Anthony Dennis described the incident as "inexcusable and shameful."
"This is intolerable," he said. "We will do everything within our power to protect our children and school personnel from outrageous behavior like this."