NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A 15-year-old has died following a shooting at a school bus stop in Newport News early Tuesday morning, according to information from police and witnesses.

Officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of 16th Street just before 6:20 a.m. due to a ShotSpotter activation in the area. This is in the city’s East End.

Officers arrived to the scene and found a 15-year-old male suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transferred to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A woman who lives nearby but didn’t want to give her name says she heard at least five gunshots.

“By the time I got to him, I couldn’t save him,” she said. “I really, really, really, really tried to save him. But by the time I got to him, he had no life.”

Police Chief Steve Drew says the teenager was likely targeted. “This isn’t a random act, I don’t believe. (It was) some type of situation between an individual and maybe one other, we just got to sift through that.”

Drew says his detectives are working with school officials and faith leaders in the community. He says this shooting and any others like it are the ones that affect him personally.

“What we saw breaks my heart,” Drew said. “There’s a lot of kids walking to school today and that’s heavy on me right now. So I saw some officers walking the kids a couple of blocks and talking to them. That’s important. This is a tragedy.”

Carlos Bailey is part of the Victor Program. He visits Newport News neighborhoods after tragedies providing mental health and community support.

“Violence is sporadic, so it’s hard to say that this particular neighborhood has more than other neighborhoods,” Bailey said. “This neighborhood hasn’t been violent for a long time, so it was a little bit of a shock.”

According to the Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) website, there is a bus stop at 16th Street and Garden Drive for Menchville High School at 6:17 a.m.

Tuesday afternoon, the Newport News School Board/Newport News Public Schools issued a statement about the tragic shooting.

The Newport News Public Schools family extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Menchville High School student who tragically lost his life today. The School Board, Superintendent and administrative team will continue to support the family and our students and staff through the difficult days ahead.

Losses like this can be hard to comprehend and process. The school division recognizes that students and staff will need additional support and reassurance. Members of the school division’s support and response team will be available to meet and talk with Menchville High students and staff for as long as they are needed. Support services are available at all schools. 

We encourage our families and staff to take advantage of these services and to continue to support one another.

Statement from Newport News School Board/Newport News Public Schools

Police are working to figure out who the suspect could be.

“We’re going to be out here most of the day today, knocking on some doors and just talking to people, asking if anyone has any information, but also just as important as checking on people,” Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said. “There’s a lot of kids walking to school today and that, that’s heavy on me right now. So, I saw some officers walking the kids a couple of blocks and talking to them. That’s important. This is a tragedy today.”

Photos from the scene showed a school bus within the police tape perimeter. Officers on the scene told WAVY’s Nick Broadway that kids remained on the bus and were safe. The school bus left the scene around 7:15 a.m.

Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones released a statement following the shooting, which can be read in full below:

Today our community was struck by a senseless tragedy. A young boy’s life has been cut short, and my heart aches for his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time. Words cannot fully convey the grief we feel. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of our police officers who are working diligently to find those responsible and ensure justice is served. If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit tips online at p3tips.com.

Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones

A nearby resident spoke with 10 On Your Side about what he witnessed.

“It was three, four, five shots, it was real loud,” Jay Sams said. “Sounded like it was coming right outside my living room window. [I] came outside, seen the school bus, school aged kids outside. Lot of people screaming. Seen a little guy, or young individual, on the ground.”

A NNPS spokesperson told WAVY, “In accordance with our student and staff response protocols, the school division will have a student support team available for students and staff.”

The incident remains under investigation and no suspect information has been released.