School Bus Driver Stabbed, Killed By Stranger In Front Of Students: Police

A man was arrested Friday for allegedly stabbing and killing a school bus driver in front of students in Pasco, Washington, police said.

The attack happened after the bus driver, whose identity was not released, picked up the children at Longfellow Elementary School, located in the area of West Shoshone Street and North 9th Avenue, on Friday afternoon, KEPR reported.

The unidentified attacker got on the bus as the students were boarding the vehicle at the elementary school. The man then attacked the bus driver and stabbed him at least once, police said.

The school bus jumped a curb and crashed into some nearby hedges during the attack.

Police arrived at the scene within moments of the incident and arrested the stabbing suspect.

The bus driver was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Students on the bus were brought back to the school immediately, along with students who were outside at the time of the attack, Captain Bill Parramore said. He added that detectives will continue to investigate the scene of the attack.

No kids were harmed in the incident, police confirmed.

Authorities said the bus driver did not know the suspect. No motive for the stabbing has been provided.

“We are devastated by the tragic loss of one of our own,” Pasco School District Superintendent Michelle Whitney said in a statement following the incident. “Our focus right now is on supporting our students and staff who are deeply impacted by this tragedy.”

Parents were called by the school to pick up their kids following the incident. The Pasco School District sent school district counselors to Longfellow and the transportation office to support students and staff.

Counselors will be available this weekend and on Monday at both locations to provide support to students and employees, Parramore said.

“Events like these can trigger strong and unexpected emotional reactions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s school counselor or principal if you or your child need support,” Whitney continued. “We are deeply saddened by the events of today. As our community processes these events, please keep a watchful eye on each other and reach out if you need us.”

Further details about the incident have not yet been released. The investigation is ongoing.

This comes days after a man was arrested for flashing a weapon at a moving school bus filled with children in Sanger, California.

A school bus driver was traveling near Faller and Annadale when they spotted the man flashing a weapon Wednesday, KMPH reported. The driver reported the incident to police, who later arrested 50-year-old suspect Danial Gonzales.

The weapon the man flashed was a BB gun, police said. No one was harmed in the incident.