CITRUS COUNTY, Florida – The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man accused of displaying a handgun during an encounter with a substitute school bus driver at a Citrus County school bus stop Thursday morning.
According to investigators, deputies responded May 21 to a reported firearm incident at a designated Citrus County School District bus stop near North Velvet Terrace and West Bromin Court in Citrus Springs.
The incident was first reported to a school resource officer at Citrus Springs Elementary School, prompting an investigation by the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigation Division.
Authorities identified the suspect as Otoniel Carlos O’Valle, also known as “Oto,” who investigators said is the parent of two elementary-aged children who use the bus stop.
According to the substitute bus driver, O’Valle approached the open door of the school bus around 8:09 a.m. after arriving in an older blue Chevrolet Blazer. Investigators said he removed an all-black handgun from his waistband and asked whether she was the regular driver.
After learning she was a substitute, O’Valle allegedly told the driver it was her “lucky day,” placed the gun in his pocket, and said he was upset because the regular driver had previously yelled at his children.
The bus aide reportedly corroborated the driver’s account.
Investigators reviewed onboard audio and video footage from the bus, which authorities said captured the driver identifying the weapon and showed O’Valle holding an object consistent with a firearm before placing it in his pocket.
The sheriff’s office noted that under Florida law, an official school bus stop is considered an extension of school property.
“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,” Sheriff David Vincent said in a statement.
Authorities said O’Valle was later located and arrested by the Ocala Police Department on a Citrus County warrant.
He faces felony charges including possession of a firearm on school property and aggravated assault on a public transit employee.