Police say the 19-year-old blocked a bus carrying 37 children before forcing open its door during an alleged road-rage confrontation.
INDIANAPOLIS — A 19-year-old woman faces multiple criminal charges after police say she deliberately blocked a school bus carrying 37 children, approached it with a handgun and forced her way aboard during an alleged road-rage confrontation on Indianapolis’ east side.
Jamiya Sutton was charged in Marion County with criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, criminal confinement involving a vehicle, pointing a firearm at another person and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, according to court records cited by Law&Crime and local reports. The charges are allegations, and the case has not been resolved in court.
The confrontation happened Sept. 16 near East 36th and North Dequincy streets. Police initially responded to what had been reported as a vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they found Sutton’s Kia K4 positioned in front of the school bus and blocking the roadway. Investigators determined that the Kia and bus had not collided with each other.
Sutton told police that the bus had pulled out in front of her and that she struck a construction sign, according to reports citing court documents. She believed the bus driver was responsible and followed the bus. Authorities said Sutton eventually drove around the bus and intentionally positioned her car so the bus could not continue.
The bus driver gave police a different perspective on the events leading to the confrontation. According to the driver’s account, she did not notice Sutton’s Kia until the car moved in front of the bus and forced it to stop. Police said the bus was carrying 37 children at the time.
Authorities allege Sutton then left her vehicle carrying a black handgun and walked around the bus while yelling for the driver to come outside. The driver refused to leave the bus. Sutton then allegedly forced open the bus door and entered while still carrying the firearm.
The driver told investigators that Sutton continued yelling and waving the gun before eventually leaving the bus and returning to her Kia. No injuries were reported among the driver or the children aboard the bus. Authorities have not reported that any shots were fired during the encounter.
When officers questioned Sutton, she acknowledged that she had been armed but disputed that she had used the gun to threaten the driver, according to reports citing court documents. Police later searched the area around the driver’s seat of her Kia and recovered a black handgun.
Authorities identified the firearm as a Glock 17 Gen 4. Police said its magazine contained 21 live rounds. Officers seized the handgun and took Sutton into custody without further incident.
Marion County prosecutors filed a Level 3 felony charge of criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony charge of criminal confinement involving a vehicle and a Level 6 felony charge of pointing a firearm at another person. Sutton also faces a Class B misdemeanor count of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.
Separate court records cited by local reports say Sutton had been arrested less than a week earlier in another alleged road-rage confrontation. In that Sept. 11 case, authorities accused her of displaying a handgun during a dispute with another motorist she believed had cut her off. Those allegations are separate from the school bus case and do not establish guilt in either proceeding.
Sutton’s school bus case remains pending in Marion County. Authorities have not reported any injuries from the Sept. 16 confrontation, while the felony and misdemeanor allegations against Sutton will be addressed through the court process.
Author note: Last updated September 25, 2026.