A Florida man caused panic at a school bus stop after allegedly pulling a gun on a substitute bus driver because he was upset that his children had been yelled at.
Florida Father Arrested for Threatening Bus Driver
Otoniel Carlos O’Valle, also known as “Oto,” has been charged with aggravated assault on a public transit employee and possession of a firearm on school property, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened on Thursday morning at around 8:10 a.m. at a Citrus County School District bus stop in Citrus Springs, west-central Florida, about 85 miles northwest of Orlando. O’Valle, the father of two elementary school children, was in a blue Chevy Blazer when he allegedly approached the open door of a stopped school bus and pulled a black handgun from his waistband.
Confrontation at the Bus Stop
Deputies said O’Valle asked the driver if she was the regular bus driver. When he learned she was a substitute, he reportedly told her it was her “lucky day,” then put the gun back into his pocket. He allegedly explained that he was upset because the regular bus driver had previously yelled at his children.
The bus aide confirmed the driver’s version of events. Investigators also reviewed onboard audio and video footage, which showed O’Valle holding an object consistent with a firearm before putting it back in his pocket.
School Property Safety Concerns
Because the incident occurred at an official school bus stop, the law treats it as an extension of school property. Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent said, “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. We will not allow anyone to endanger the safety of our students or the people who protect them.”
O’Valle was arrested by the Ocala Police Department. Court dates for the case have not yet been announced.
This alarming incident highlights the importance of safety measures at school bus stops and the serious consequences of threatening school staff.
