SEGUIN, Texas – A Seguin ISD elementary school student discharged a loaded gun on a school bus Tuesday morning, district officials said.
Nobody was injured.
The incident happened around 7:25 a.m. as the bus entered the Jefferson Elementary School parking lot. There were 37 students on the bus from several schools, including Jefferson, Koennecke and Ball Elementary schools.
Seguin ISD Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez said the person responsible was a male student who attends Jefferson but would not say what grade he is in.
The bus driver took the gun, a .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun, from the student, Seguin Police Chief Jason Brady said.
Brady said one bullet went through a seat where a child was seated. Luckily, a steel barrier underneath the upholstery of the seat prevented the bullet from traveling further.
The mother of the student and other family members were interviewed by police, but Brady would not say who the gun belonged to. He said someone could face charges, which range from making a firearm accessible to a child to child endangerment.
Police and school officials will review surveillance video from the bus as part of the investigation.
Gutierrez made a plea to parents who own guns to keep them locked away and hidden where children can’t find them.
“It is so important to ensure gun safety in your home. Because not only are you jeopardizing the safety of your own child, but potentially the safety of dozens, if not hundreds, of others,” he said. “Often times children see guns as toys and don’t know any better. But unfortunately, we live in a world where tragic events happen on almost a daily basis. And there are times that students have access to weapons at home and could potentially cause harm.”
“Possessing and discharging a firearm on school property violates state and federal law, as well as our Student Code of Conduct,” Seguin ISD Chief Communications Officer Sean Hoffman said.
School counselors will be available for any student or family who needs assistance.
Students are encouraged to report any unsafe activities to adult school employees.