A Citrus County man was arrested May 21 after he pulled a handgun on a substitute school bus driver at a designated bus stop, reported Fox 13.
According to the news report, Otoniel Carlos O’Valle, who also goes by “Oto,” drove to the school bus stop May 22 in an blue Chevrolet Blazer shortly before 8:10 a.m. Investigators said he approached the open door of the school bus, removed a black handgun from his waistband and asked the driver if she was the regular bus operator.
The substitute driver told O’Valle she was filling in for the regular driver. Deputies said O’Valle told the woman it was her “lucky day” before placing the firearm into his front pocket.
O’Valle reportedly explained he was upset because the regular bus driver had allegedly yelled at his children during a previous interaction. A bus aide later confirmed there had been tension involving the regular driver and O’Valle’s children.
The incident was reported to a school resource officer at Citrus Springs Elementary School, prompting an investigation by the sheriff’s office major crimes unit.
Authorities said detectives reviewed onboard audio and video from the school bus security system. The footage captured the substitute driver identifying the object as a firearm when O’Valle approached the bus. Detectives also said the video showed O’Valle holding an object consistent with a handgun before placing it into his pocket.
The sheriff’s office has not publicly released the audio or video footage from the bus.
Sheriff David Vincent said his agency takes immediate action on threats involving schools, students, or staff members.
“Anyone who threatens or brings harm toward a Citrus County school, its staff, or our children, will face an immediate and uncompromising response from law enforcement,” Vincent said in a statement. “We will not allow anyone to endanger the safety of our students or the people who protect them.” The investigation is ongoing.
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