POULSBO — A 13-year-old boy was being detained and questioned by Poulsbo police May 17 after he allegedly “bantered” with another student about having a gun aboard a North Kitsap school bus.
No weapon was found on the student or aboard the bus, police said.
The bus was taking middle- and high-schoolers home after school when the bus driver reportedly heard two students “bantering back and forth” about having a gun, possibly a .45 caliber handgun.
The bus driver radioed in a report to the school district’s transportation office, which called 9-1-1, district student services director Michael Olsen said at the scene.
Police Sgt. Howard Leeming said a police officer in the area pulled the bus over in front of Kitsap Tire at Viking Avenue and Finn Hill Road. He was joined at the scene by backup units.
Police reportedly had guns drawn and ordered all students off the bus with their hands in the air. Olsen said that was appropriate “considering the report that came in. We’d rather react swiftly and ensure our students are safe than under-react.”
The bus was cleared to proceed on its route shortly before 4 p.m. Next: The student was placed in the back seat of a patrol car and taken in for questioning. Olsen said parents were being notified of the incident, and the district will determine whether there was any violation of conduct codes.
Superintendent Patty Page sent the following message to parents at 3:48 p.m.:
We received reports just before 3:00pm of a possible threat of a weapon on bus route #16 en route on Viking Way. Law enforcement responded to the scene. The students were removed from the bus and searched. the bus was also searched. The scene was confirmed safe and it was determined there was no actual threat to students on the bus. The students have been re-loaded on the bus and the bus has continued on its route.
The bus driver acted appropriately, ensuring the safety of their students. We thank law enforcement for their swift action to ensure the situation was safe for all.
Thank you,
Patty Page
Superintendent