A bus traveling to the media center from one of the Olympics venues in Rio was attacked on Tuesday and its glass was shattered, causing injuries to two of the 12 passengers, according to reports.
Though there is no dispute that glass was shattered leading to injuries, the impetus for the glass breaking is in dispute. Those on board the bus seemed to feel gun shots hit the bus, causing the issues. Police, an official, and the bus driver believe it was just stones thrown at the bus.
HoopFeed’s Lee Michaelson was aboard the bus and gave this account of the event via Twitter:
2- The bus that was shot at was leaving Deodoro Youth Arena after the #TUR–#JPN WBB game.
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 9, 2016
3-Bus had just passed unmanned toll booths of Trans Olympic Highway, going at good clip, bullets didn't completely penetrate but broke glass
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 9, 2016
4-And blew out windows. Gun probably a "small-caliber weapon." Falling/flying glass caused the minor injuries.
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 9, 2016
5-A Reuters photog who has spent time in Iraq was yelling at the bus driver to keep moving, keep driving and don't stop or pull over.
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
6-Once bus was out of range and away, police arrived. Officer didn't talk to anyone or offer assistance to the 2 guys injured.
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
7-Injured included a reporter from Belarus #BLR and a volunteer from Turkey. Had cuts from glass and bleeding.
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
8-Lights inside bus were on as it made way from stadium, usually liked b/c buses have wifi & folks can work. Not good in this situation.
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
8-Bus incident unfortunate, locals have been helpful/nice per LM. But media woes include being late due to buses w/drivers getting "lost."
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
9-Pics of #Rio2016 media bus that was shot at this eve. 2 folks with minor injuries from cut glass. Story to come. pic.twitter.com/YIO6eTNqnS
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
10 – Another image of the media bus that was targeted at #Rio2016 tonight. What kind of impact does that look like? pic.twitter.com/tu53PAkFQL
— Hoopfeed.com (@hoopfeed) August 10, 2016
Here are more images of the damaged bus:
2 windows shattered on media bus at Olympics (from @AP) #RoadToRio https://t.co/noZtEAQk1l
— Stephen Wade (@StephenWadeAP) August 10, 2016
Images of the damage caused to a media bus when it was attacked while travelling between venues at #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/GQHwX0KMiv
— PA Sport (@pasport) August 10, 2016
This Brazilian report puts into doubt whether the shattered glass was the result of stones:
The police did not bother to inspect the bus and claimed that the vehicle was stoned target. The thesis is unlikely, since he passed away from homes, at high speed, and the marks on glasses were very small diameter. Furthermore, the bursts were followed, at the same time, first in the front window, then a more central. A high caliber bullet would have gone through the bus.
In addition to what happened with this bus, a stray bullet went through the media tent at the equestrian center for the Olympics over the weekend. Safety is definitely a priority in Rio.
