Norfolk bus driver arrested after child finds loaded gun on school bus

NORFOLK, Mass. — Norfolk Police arrested a school bus driver Friday after students found a loaded gun on a school bus, police said.

David A. Tripp, 65, of Norfolk, was charged with reckless endangerment of a child, improper storage of a firearm near a minor, intimidation of a witness/juror/court official, and carrying a firearm on a campus.

Police identified the firearm as a Smith & Wesson .45 caliber. When it was confiscated at his home Friday, it was loaded with seven rounds, but did not have a round in the chamber.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Norfolk Police were contacted by the parent of a student who notified them that a gun was seen on a school bus by King Philip Middle School students after dismissal as kids were getting on the bus.

An investigation began and police notified school officials of the Norfolk Public Schools and King Philip Regional School District, who both use the private busing service, Holmes Bus Company, a Norfolk-based company.

After police interviewed witnesses and reviewed surveillance footage from the bus, officers determined that the gun was found on a seat in the back of the bus as students were boarding. Police said no student touched the gun.

The bus driver heard a commotion among children in the back of the bus and allegedly took the gun and put it in his pocket. The driver then continued on his route and did not report the incident to police or school officials. There were about a dozen middle school students on the bus at the time.

On Friday, police interviewed Tripp and determined that the firearm was owned by him and placed him under arrest. Tripp was arrested at his home without incident.

“We are extremely fortunate that no children were injured as a result of the suspect’s reckless and dangerous conduct,” Norfolk Police Chief Charles Stone said.

Police say when a parent called the police to report it, he lied.

“In the beginning, when we were told that he had a pellet gun and we had to do a search in the woods which took up some time,” said Stone. “I’ve known the individual for a long time and I’m upset with him that he would do this to the residents of the town.”

Police said that the gun fell out of Tripp’s pocket while he was cleaning up the bus after dropping off Norfolk elementary school students. No elementary school students came in contact with or saw the firearm.

Norfolk bus driver gun (Norfolk Police Department/Norfolk Police Department)

The bus driver has a license to carry a firearm, which will be immediately suspended by police. Police will also seize any and all of Tripp’s firearms, police said.

Both school districts require that all bus drivers undergo a criminal background check before being hired by the bus company.

School administrators said they will contact the families of all students who were on the bus and school counselors will be made available for students next week.

“I was horrified to learn about this incident and it is unconscionable that a person would bring a firearm onto a school bus full of children, let alone someone whose care of those children had been entrusted to them,” Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Ingrid Allardi said in a statement. “I am furious, as our parents and community members should be, and we will be reviewing our contract with the bus company and at the very least demanding the driver’s termination.”

The driver has been banned from transporting children of both districts. His employment status was not known on Friday. Allardi says he has worked at Holmes Bus Services for more than 15 years.

“Obviously he was irresponsible if it fell out of his pocket and he didn’t even know it,” said Sue & Mel Kinnear who live nearby. “Our town is very quiet. It’s a great place to live so I don’t understand why you would have to have a gun while you were driving the bus, especially loaded, not safe at all. What if they did not turn it in? That could have been bad.”

Tripp will likely be arraigned Monday in Wrentham District Court.

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