Haverhill police ride school buses after windows shot with pellet gun on Thursday

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

After two school buses were shot at with pellet guns on Thursday, several Haverhill police officers rode in and alongside the buses on all routes throughout the city Friday morning.

The first bus, carrying Head Start children, was shot at around 11:30 a.m. by a projectile that is believed to be from a pellet or BB gun, said Haverhill School Superintendent James F. Scully.

Later that day, the same type of weapon was used to shoot at a bus carrying high school students. The projectile managed to break a window and glass fell on one student.

“She may have cut her finger,” Scully said, adding that there were no serious injuries.

Surveillance footage captured from a camera on the bus is being reviewed to see if a description of the suspects or if a getaway car can be found.

Friday was a half-day of school for Haverhill public school students, and several police officers monitored the buses during both commutes. Some followed behind in cruisers, others watched stops, and a few rode on the buses with the students as well, said Haverhill Police Deputy Chief Donald Thompson.

There have not been any further incidents Friday morning on any of the school buses, Scully said. He did not have a number available for how many bus routes there are in the city.

“Parents are concerned, especially after the tragedy in Connecticut,” Scully said.“There’s no way to alleviate anxiety when it comes to our children.”

For the past week, all available officers have also been placed at all school grounds for additional security, Scully said.

The incident is still under investigation, Thompson said.