Florida police officers arrested a nine-year-old boy after the child was found to have brought a loaded gun onto a school bus.
There were no reports of anyone being injured during the incident, which occurred on a school bus on Monday morning while students were going to an elementary school in Ocala. The Ocala Police Department said officers responded to the bus for a report of a student who had a firearm after other kids alerted the bus driver, who was the one who called 911.
Police Arrest 9-Year-Old for Bringing Gun Into School Bus
When law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene, several students directed them to a nine-year-old boy on the bus, who is the one believed to have a loaded firearm. In a statement, officials said that the juvenile was then safely detained after initially resisting officers. The latter found a loaded .38 caliber revolver from the floor near the child's seat.
Officers found out that the nine-year-old boy took the gun without permission from the "secured bedroom" of his relative. The arrest affidavit noted that the minor's uncle told police that he keeps the gun in the top drawer of his nightstand in their apartment, according to ABC News.
The uncle said that he was aware the young boy knew he had a gun, but he was not aware that the nine-year-old knew where it was actually stored. Police also found that the firearm was stored lawfully by its owner.
The student who had the gun allegedly admitted to taking the firearm on Sunday while his uncle was inside the shower. He then brought it into the school while hiding it in his pocket. Police added that the nine-year-old admitted to showing the gun to other students, but noted that he had no plans to use it on anyone.
Ensuring Everyone's Safety
After the young boy was arrested for bringing the gun into the school bus, he is now facing several serious charges. These include possession of a firearm on school property, armed burglary, grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm, and disruption of a school function, STN Online reported.
Ocala police authorities said that the latest incident shows why staying vigilant and reporting concerns quickly is vital to protecting people's safety. They added that children are their top priority and are committed to supporting schools and the community while pursuing justice.
Officials also praised the students on the school bus for alerting the bus driver and, in doing so, helped ensure the safety of everyone onboard, as per First Coast News.
