Police: 9-year-old in Ocala arrested for carrying loaded gun on school bus

OCALA, Fla. — A 9-year-old boy is facing multiple charges after being arrested on Monday for bringing a loaded gun onto a school bus in Ocala, according to the Ocala Police Department.

In a Facebook post, the police department said officers responded to a report of a student with a gun on a school bus Monday morning. When they arrived, the boy was detained and the gun was recovered from the bus.

According to police, the boy took the gun, a revolver, from a family member’s room without permission and admitted to bringing it on the bus and showing it to others.

Police said the boy was then arrested and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice. No injuries were reported in the incident.

According to police, the boy faces the following charges:

• Possession of a firearm on school property
• Armed burglary
• Grand theft of a firearm
• Carrying a concealed firearm
• Disruption of school function

“We praise the students for alerting the bus driver and helping to ensure everyone’s safety,” the police department said in its post. “We also commend the swift response from law enforcement. Our children’s safety is our top priority. This incident shows why staying vigilant and reporting concerns quickly is critical. We will remain committed to supporting our schools and community while we pursue justice.”