BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — A 58-year-old bus driver in Blount County was arrested after someone saw he had a gun on him on school grounds, according to a report from the Blount County Sheriff's Office.
On Sept. 25, a school resource officer with Mary Blount Elementary was working when they received a call from a witness saying someone, later identified as Brian Negele, was walking around school property with a firearm.
School was in session and children were present at the time of the incident.
The SRO retrieved their patrol rifle and advised the school to be placed on lockdown, deputies said. BCSO later responded to the school and detained Negele.
When BCSO approached Negele, he told deputies that he works for the Blount County School District as a school bus driver. He said he arrived at the school, parked his car, got onto the bus and parked it in line waiting for school to be dismissed.
According to BCSO, Negele saw that he had his firearm, a Glock 19, on him. He then got out of the school bus, walked to his car and put his firearm in the car.
It was at this point, the SRO saw what Negele was doing and called the school to report it. BCSO was then made aware of the situation and responded to the school.
After taking Negele into custody at the Blount County Jail, deputies searched his car and found his Glock 19 inside. He was charged with carrying weapons on school property, BCSO said.
Negele has since been released on a $500 bond. His hearing is set for Sept. 30 at 1:30 p.m.
