A GUNMAN in the US has shot dead a school bus driver, taken a six-year-old boy hostage and gone to ground surrounded by armed police.
He was thought to be hiding in a homemade bunker in Midland City, Alabama where he fled after shooting the driver when he refused to let the child off.
Police tactical units, negotiators and other officers are at the scene.
“That’s what has been described to me as an underground bunker. Someplace to get out of the way of a tornado,” a spokesman said.
Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
“Authorities also confirmed the presence of a child at the scene but are giving no further information at this time,” the spokesman said.
Michael Creel, who lives on the road where the shooting happened, said he went outside after his sister heard gunshots.
“Me and her started running down the road,” he said. “That’s when I realised the bus had its siren going off. Kids were filing out, running down the hill toward the church.”
