CHRIS EMMA

Community Reacts After 10-Year-Old Charged With Firing BB Gun At School Buses

A Massachusetts community is reacting after a 10-year-old boy allegedly used a BB gun to open fire on two school buses that had kids on board.

The boy, who has not been identified because he is a minor, was arraigned in juvenile court Friday on two counts of malicious destruction of property, two counts of disorderly conduct, one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a BB gun.

"You couldn't imagine if your child was on that bus, what could've happened," Methuen Police Capt. Kristopher McCarthy said.

The boy allegedly fired the BB gun at about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday from his Pelham Street home, shattering bus windows.

The buses had just left the nearby Marsh Corner School and were traveling up the road. Police said both buses had a total of about 63 students on them.

"With every shooting, every state, every city, it's concerning," said one parent who brings her child to school. "I don't know how he gets a hold of a BB gun."

There were no injuries reported, but police say they are taking the incident very seriously.

"If the bus driver got injured and something happened to the bus as they were driving down the roadway, or a small child got shot by a BB, there could be serious injury," McCarthy said.

Police say the school notified parents who had students on those busses.

"I have a 5-year-old," said another parent. "It's a bit concerning, to be right in your face when you get to school."

Police said the boy does live in town but does not go to school in the Methuen area. They are also stressing that the incident is isolated. A motive has not been determined.

A judge allowed the boy to remain free on unspecified conditions. He will return to court on Jan. 22, 2018 for a pre-trial hearing.

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