Ebro Ahmed, a 27-year-old convenience store clerk in Saint Paul, Minnesota, leaped onto a moving school bus carrying 19 children on October 19, 2026, after the driver suffered a medical emergency, bringing the runaway vehicle to a halt before anyone was injured.
The Rescue Outside Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco
The afternoon began as a quiet shift at Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco, a family-owned convenience store located in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood of Saint Paul. Ahmed was standing outside during a slow period around 3:17 p.m. on a Monday, kicking a soccer ball and checking his phone, when a yellow school bus from Battle Creek Middle School rolled past with its door wide open and warning lights flashing.
Recognizing immediate distress as he looked inside and saw the driver experiencing a medical episode, Ahmed sprinted toward the moving vehicle. He leapt through the open door while the bus was traveling at roughly 10 miles per hour. With frightened children screaming around him, he tossed his phone and glasses to a girl in the front row to clear his hands.
So I just ran out to the bus, I tried to put it in park, I threw it in reverse by accident, and then I ended up getting it in neutral, pulled the parking brake. And then I called the police and called the ambulances so they could help the driver.
Ebro Ahmed, convenience store clerk, via 5 Eyewitness News
Surveillance cameras mounted on the storefront captured the rapid intervention, which took just under 15 seconds from start to finish. The vehicle stopped safely near the intersection of North Mendota Street and Fremont Avenue East.
Faith and Grey's Anatomy Helped Ahmed Stay Composed
In the days following the incident, Ahmed credited two distinct influences for helping him remain clear-headed during the crisis: his Muslim faith and the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. He noted that watching television surgeons stay composed under pressure taught him how to handle unexpected trauma without panicking.
At the same time, his actions were deeply anchored in his upbringing and community ties. Religious teachings provided a moral framework for his split-second decision.
In my religion, they say one life is the equivalent to the entire humanity… and if you save one person, it’s equivalent as if you saved the whole world. So that’s kind of what I live by and obviously, you know, that’s the reason why I hopped on that bus.
Ebro Ahmed, convenience store clerk, via MPR News
Public figures and local officials quickly rallied behind the store clerk. Council Member Cheniqua Johnson, who represents Dayton’s Bluff, commended Ahmed, stating that the rescue was a moment of community heroism.
Students Receive Support After Driver Suffers Medical Emergency
Saint Paul Public Schools confirmed that 19 students were aboard the bus when the medical emergency unfolded. Paramedics arrived promptly at the scene, transporting the stricken driver to a local hospital.
| Response Metric | Details Provided by Authorities |
|---|---|
| Students Aboard | 19 children from Battle Creek Middle School |
| Injuries Reported | None among students or bystanders |
| Driver Status | Transported by Saint Paul Fire Department medics, later released and resting at home |
| District Support | SPPS mental health team checked in with students to address any trauma |
The school district arranged for a secondary bus to transport the remaining students home, acknowledging that the frightening ordeal caused delays. On Tuesday, the district’s mental health team checked in with the children to offer support and process the incident. Meanwhile, district spokesman Ryan Stanzel confirmed that the driver had been discharged from the hospital and was recovering at home.
Entrepreneur Sheletta Brundidge Surprises Ahmed With Financial Reward
To honor his bravery, local media entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheletta Brundidge visited Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco on Thursday morning. Accompanied by a performer dressed as Superman, Brundidge surprised Ahmed with a giant $1,000 check to acknowledge his selflessness.
You could have ran inside, called 911, and let somebody else do the work, but you actually sprung into action just like a real-life superhero.
Sheletta Brundidge, media entrepreneur and philanthropist, via MPR News
Ahmed stated that he plans to invest the $1,000 and considers it an opportunity to support his community. Despite national media attention and accolades, including a Humanitarian Hero Award from the Human Development Fund, Ahmed has continued working shifts at his family’s neighborhood store.
More on Ebro Ahmed
🔴 Man stops runaway school bus in Saint Paul by jumping aboard and engaging brakeEbro Ahmed, 27, sprinted from a sidewalk and boarded a moving Battle Creek Middle School bus traveling at approximately 10 mph with doors open and lights flashing on Monday afternoon in Saint… pic.twitter.com/Dkm0txIvkq
Ebro Ahmed halted a runaway school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver experienced a medical emergency. https://t.co/o0iCRVWEsH
Ebro Ahmed halted a runaway school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver experienced a medical emergency. https://t.co/lOb4ZPmOHY
Ebro Ahmed halted a runaway school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver experienced a medical emergency. https://t.co/fQpT6SR38F
Ebro Ahmed halted a runaway school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver experienced a medical emergency. https://t.co/GwthfWqqdd
Ebro Ahmed halted a runaway school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver experienced a medical emergency. https://t.co/zrbAPzBuWC
Ebro Ahmed halted a runaway school bus in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the driver experienced a medical emergency. https://t.co/TNVkBUaLDm