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
EverDriven Launches Route Consolidation Calculator to Estimate Diesel Savings
As diesel prices hit record highs, the largest alternative transportation provider says a 10% route consolidation could save a 120-route district more than $78,000 a year in fuel alone.
Read More →
Zum Secures Continued Financing Support for School Bus Expansion
Generate Private Credit has financed approximately $75 million in school bus deployments across three states, supporting more than 500 buses as Zum expands across the county.
Read More →
Beyond Discipline: A Different Approach to Student Behavior on the Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements. Here’s how it worked. The Route is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
A Dean of Transportation's Different Approach to Student Behavior on the School Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements on the bus. Here’s how it worked.
Read More →
Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville
From federal updates and student behavior strategies to new school bus technology and industry awards, see highlights from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville.
Read More →
Meet the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero Winner: Annette Brown
We caught up with Wa-Nee Community Schools' Annette Brown on site at SBFX, where she was named the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award winner. Hear about her reaction, what she loves most about being a school bus driver, and more!
Read More →
Predictability Is Like Ketchup (According to 6-Year-Olds)
To students, a different school bus can feel like a full-blown crisis. One driver reflects on why familiar routines, showing up on time, and being reliably boring matter more than we think.
Read More →
Samsara Launches Free Driver Rewards Program
The new Driver Perks program gives eligible professional drivers access to discounts and offers without adding a cost for participating fleets.
Read More →
How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses
Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.
Read More →
Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!
We’re searching for the next generation of leaders making an impact across the K-12 student transportation industry to recognize as SBF’s 2027 Trailblazers. Nominations are open now!
Read More →