Forest High Senior Shannon Rushing Killed Near Bus Stop

An 18-year-old Forest High School senior, Shannon Rushing, was struck and killed while walking to her bus stop on the 1900 block of NW Old Blitchton Road in Ocala the morning of Oct. 27. Police say she was struck from behind by an eastbound Nissan SUV; the 60-year-old driver stopped, called 911 and is cooperating with investigators. Officers recovered headphones at the unlit scene and said Rushing may have been wearing them; police noted the death is Ocala’s 13th traffic fatality this year and are examining factors including lighting and speed. Rushing was pronounced dead at the scene, and police said they are supporting her family and the school community; Marion County schools have grief counselors on site. Her older sister, Shanta Norton, who had been raising her after their mother’s death, described Rushing as outgoing and funny, and school officials said she had disabilities but was active in campus groups.