DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — A man was arrested in Walton County last week after reportedly stepping onto a school bus to confront the driver and later being found wanted on an out-of-state warrant.
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According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), the case began with a complaint that a 9-year-old student had been spit on by a school bus driver the previous day. A School Resource Deputy interviewed the child, who claimed he was called to the center of the bus and was spit on — though he believed it may have been accidental.
The driver told deputies he had moved the child away from disruptive behavior in the back of the bus and denied spitting. After reviewing video footage, deputies and school staff said the allegation was unsubstantiated.
No spitting was observed, and the student was seen continuing to trip other students after being told to remain seated.
Later that day, a man identified as Brent Gill, age 40, reportedly followed the school bus on N. 1st Street in DeFuniak Springs. When the bus stopped to let off a student, Mr Gill is said to have boarded the bus and confronted the driver about the prior day’s incident.
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The driver reported the encounter to his supervisors, who notified the Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police Department. Mr Gill later admitted to police that he stepped onto the bus to identify the driver but refused to enter the police department building. He instead gave a verbal statement outside.
A records check reportedly revealed Mr Gill was wanted out of Mississippi for being a felon in possession of a firearm. After confirming the warrant, officers arrested him and transported him to the Walton County Jail.
The WCSO has charged Mr Gill with trespassing on school property. He is currently awaiting his first appearance.
