A Massachusetts school bus driver is facing a series of charges after students reported finding a gun onboard the school bus.
A King Philip Middle School parent contacted police Thursday after their child informed them of the incident.
“Through the police investigation, including interviews with witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from the bus, officers determined that the gun was found on a seat in the back of the bus as students were boarding. It was determined that no student touched the gun,” Police Chief Charles Stone, Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Ingrid Allardi and King Philip Regional School District Superintendent Paul Zinni said in a joint statement.
“The bus driver heard a commotion among children in the back of the bus and allegedly took the gun and put it in his pocket,” officials said. “The driver then continued on his route and did not report the incident to police or school officials. There were about a dozen middle school students on the bus at the time.”
The firearm was found to be a Smith & Wesson .45 caliber. It was found loaded with seven rounds but did not have a round in the chamber when it was confiscated at his home by police Friday.
“I was horrified to learn about this incident and it is unconscionable that a person would bring a firearm onto a school bus full of children, let alone someone whose care of those children had been entrusted to them,” Allardi said. “I am furious, as our parents and community members should be, and we will be reviewing our contract with the bus company and at the very least demanding the driver’s termination.”
Officials believe the gun fell out of the driver’s pocket while he was cleaning the bus after dropping off Norfolk elementary school students.
Police interviewed the driver, determined to be 65-year-old David A. Tripp, of Norfolk, and determined the firearm was owned by him.
Tripp was arrested Friday on the charges of reckless endangerment of a child, improper storage of a firearm near a minor, intimidation of a witness and carrying a firearm on a campus. His license to carry was suspended and police seized guns owned by Tripp.
He was a driver for Holmes Bus Company, a Norfolk-based private busing service.
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May 08, 2021 at 06:51PM
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Massachusetts bus driver arrested after students found gun on school bus, police say - MassLive.com
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