Incident Involving Rock Thrown at School Bus

An undocumented immigrant has been accused of hurling a rock, roughly the size of a baseball, at a school bus in New Jersey, injuring an 8-year-old girl and fracturing her skull. This suspect has since been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to local news sources, the incident occurred on January 7 while the bus was transporting students from Yeshivat Noam, a full-time Jewish school, back from a field trip to the Liberty Science Center along the New Jersey Turnpike.

Hernando Garcia-Morales, originally from Mexico, reportedly threw the rock at a passing car, breaking a window and injuring a third-grade student in the process, necessitating surgical intervention.

On January 9, the New Jersey Turnpike State Police apprehended Garcia-Morales, charging him with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and weapon possession. He was also charged by the Bogota police with similar offenses, including criminal trespassing and property damage.

Authorities located Garcia-Morales at a campsite in Old Croker County Park, Bergen County. DHS has pointed out his extensive criminal history while residing in New Jersey, which includes robbery charges from 2023 and earlier theft and weapons charges.

Moreover, the investigation has tied him to several similar rock-throwing incidents in Bogota, New Jersey.

As of now, Garcia-Morales is in ICE custody. DHS noted that he entered the United States on an unspecified date.

“Targeting a school bus filled with children is despicable and heinous,” stated Assistant Secretary of State Tricia McLaughlin, describing the suspect as a “monster.” She further remarked that Garcia-Morales should never have been allowed into the country, let alone released into a community after multiple arrests. McLaughlin expressed hope that New Jersey’s sanctuary politicians would assist in keeping him off the streets permanently.