A Florida man was arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a substitute school bus driver because he was upset that his children had been yelled at, authorities said.
Suspect and Charges
Otoniel Carlos O’Valle, also known as “Oto,” has been charged with:
- Aggravated assault on a public transit employee
- Possession of a firearm on school property
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges on Friday following an investigation into the incident.
The Incident
On Thursday morning, O’Valle was in an older model blue Chevy Blazer at a Citrus County School District bus stop, located at the intersection of North Velvet Terrace and West Bromin Court in Citrus Springs, Florida — about 85 miles northwest of Orlando.
Around 8:10 a.m., a school bus stopped at the location. O’Valle, the father of two elementary school-age children who use this stop, allegedly approached the open bus door and removed a black handgun from his waistband.
He asked the driver if she was the regular driver and was told she was a substitute. Upon hearing this, O’Valle reportedly said it was her “lucky day,” then placed the gun back in his front pocket. He allegedly explained that he was upset because the regular driver had previously yelled at his children.
Investigation and Evidence
The confrontation was immediately reported to a school resource officer at Citrus Springs Elementary School, who then alerted law enforcement.
Deputies noted that:
- The bus aide corroborated the driver’s account.
- Onboard audio and video footage captured the driver identifying the weapon and showed O’Valle holding an object consistent with a firearm before placing it back in his pocket.
Because the incident occurred at an official school bus stop, state law considers the area an extension of school property, making it a serious criminal matter.
Authorities’ Response
Citrus County Sheriff David Vincent issued a statement:
“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.”
Arrest and Court Proceedings
O’Valle was arrested by the Ocala Police Department. It has not yet been announced when he is due to appear in court.
