Charges dropped for boy who brought fake gun on bus
The 10-year-old flashed an orange-tipped replica gun to another student on the school bus, and he was arrested the next day after another bus passenger reported him. Three weeks after the incident, prosecutors say they “did not feel it was appropriate or productive to proceed with criminal prosecution.”
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Charges have been dropped against a 10-year-old who showed a fake gun to another student on a school bus earlier this month.
According to The Washington Post, Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney S. Randolph Sengel said that the matter should be handled by the school district and that “we did not feel it was appropriate or productive to proceed with criminal prosecution.”
On the bus ride home on Feb. 4, the boy reportedly flashed the orange-tipped replica gun "without indicating it was fake," according to police. A girl on the bus told her mother what she had seen and that she was scared, and her mother called school officials.
The next day, the boy’s backpack was searched, the fake gun was found and he was arrested.
Three weeks later, after the charges against the boy were dropped, his mother told The Washington Post that “it’s not like we don’t understand that guns are bad. We do. … But you’re doing all of this for a toy? They overreacted — badly.”
Another recent story about a fake-gun incident on a school bus:
More Management
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nearly 90 Years of Safely Transporting Wisconsin Students
From one farmer's act of service to a fourth-generation family business, Kobussen Buses reflects on nearly 90 years of earning the trust of Wisconsin families.
Read More →
Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation
Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.
Read More →
2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report
Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners
Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.
Read More →
School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells
Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.
Read More →