911 transcript: I-35W shooting suspect claimed bus driver tried to run him over
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota State Patrol has released the audio transcripts for the 911 call from the suspect accused of shooting a school bus driver after a crash on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis last week.
Kenneth Lilly, 31, is charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault for allegedly shooting into a school bus after the bus reportedly scraped his vehicle while merging onto the highway. The driver suffered minor injuries.
Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic cameras captured the incident. The video shows Lilly stopping in the lane of traffic near the split with Interstate 94, getting out of his car and walking towards the passenger side of the bus. He reportedly tried to get on the bus, but eventually walked in front of it and fired five shots at the windshield. He then called 911.
According to the 911 transcripts, Lilly told the dispatcher he was in an accident with a bus driver and said a “self-defense incident” had occurred.
“I had an accident with a bus driver. I got out, tried to get his information," he said. "He tried to drive past me, nearly ran me over and then a self-defense incident occurred because he tried to run me over. So shots have been fired.”
Lilly said he shot the bus driver because the driver had tried to run him over.
Dispatcher: “Was he shot or was it a car accident? Or Both?”
Lilly: “It was a car accident. I got out, I tried to get information. When I stood in front of the car he tried to run me over.”
When the dispatcher asked if Lilly was hurt, he replied, “I’m a little shaken since I was nearly run over by a bus.”
There was one student on the bus at the time of the shooting, but she was not injured. Lilly claimed he did not think anyone else was on the bus.
“I think he’s just driving by himself,” he said. “Some old guy.”
Lilly said he was still in his full security uniform and his gun was in his holster. He asked for an ambulance and police to respond to the scene.
A witness also called 911 to report the accident. The witness said it looked like the bus and Lilly’s vehicle collided side by side, then it appeared Lilly pulled forward and cut off the bus.
“It looked like the bus was refusing to pull over,” the witness said. “The driver of the other car got out where what looked like possibly some sort of security uniform and I’m pretty sure he just fired multiple shots into the ground from a pistol.”
911 transcript
STATE PATROL DISPATCH: “What, what is going on there sir?”
LILLY: “I had an accident with a bus driver. I got out, I tried to get his information. He tried to drive past me, nearly ran me over and then a self-defense incident occurred because he tried to run me over. So shots have been fired.”
DISPATCH: Ok.
LILLY: And I am in full security uniform.
DISPATCH: Hold on one second for me.
LILLY: I need an ambulance and police here now please.
DISPATCH: Ok Minneapolis, do you copy? They are at 11th Avenue South, westbound 94.
MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DISPATCH: He gave me eastbound. So is it east or westbound 94.
STATE PATROL DISPATCH: Is, is he conscious and breathing?
LILLY: Yes.
DISPATCH: Was he shot or was it a car accident? Or both?
LILLY: No. No. It was a car accident. I got out. I tried to get information. When I stood in front of the car he tried to run me over.
DISPATCH: Driver of the car or the bus?
LILLY: Driver of the bus.
DISPATCH: And what’s your name sir?
LILLY: My name is Ken Lilly.
DISPATCH: Ken can you spell your last name for me?
LILLY: L-I-L-L-Y.
DISPATCH: Ok do you know where he was hit?
LILLY: I have not idea.
DISPATCH: Ok. We’ve got everyone on the way sir.
LILLY: Thank you.
DISPATCH: And you’re not hurt at all, correct?
LILLY: I’m a little shaken since I was nearly run over by a bus.
DISPATCH: Do you want an ambulance to check you out as well?
LILLY: No. I, well let’s check this guy out and then, I, I don’t know why, why he had to try to run me over.
DISPATCH: Ok do you know if there’s anyone on the bus?
LILLY: I don’t think so. I think he’s just driving by himself. Some old guy.
DISPATCH: Ok. They’re, they’re on their way sir. They should be there shortly. I’ll just stay on till they get there. Looks like, are they just pulling up behind you there? Nope that’s just another car.
LILLY: Yeah I think so.
DISPATCH: Ok.
DISPATCH: Ok where is the gun right now?
LILLY: It’s in a holster.
DISPATCH: On your persons or in your vehicle?
LILLY: Uh, it’s on my persons ma’am.
DISPATCH: Ok.
LILLY: Let me uh, let me call my family.
DISPATCH: Ok, hold on there one second, sir. I want to make sure that you’re available when the officers pull up. Cause they’re gonna have some instructions.
LILLY: (Inaudible)
DISPATCH: Ok then and you need to listen to what they tell you, ok?
LILLY: Yes, yes ma’am.
DISPATCH: Ok.