A 12-year-old student with disabilities gained access to a firearm left unattended on a Chicago school bus and discharged it toward a Bridgeport elementary school, leading to felony charges against a 22-year-old bus aide who allegedly brought the weapon aboard.
Bus Aide Faces Felony Gun Charges
Steven Dixon Jr., 22, faces one felony count of carrying a firearm in a public place or school, along with misdemeanor charges including endangering a child and reckless conduct. Chicago police confirmed Dixon turned himself in three to four hours after the September incident. Authorities have not publicly disclosed Dixon’s exact connection to the bus or the transportation company operating the vehicle, though school officials identified him as a bus aide.
The assistant principal confirmed the student involved had disabilities. According to police reports, Dixon retrieved the gun and bag after the discharge and initially fled the scene before voluntarily surrendering to authorities later that day. The weapon had been stored in a bag accessible to students during the bus ride.
School Responds With Soft Lockdown
The elementary school implemented a soft lockdown immediately after the incident and released students in controlled waves to ensure safety. In a letter distributed to parents, school administrators confirmed that everyone remained safe and emphasized that the firearm never entered school grounds. The bullet struck a window outside the building, with no injuries reported from the discharge.
Parent Shonterrie Orr expressed shock at the situation, telling reporters her children were standing on the opposite side of the bus when the weapon fired. She questioned the appropriateness of a bus aide carrying a firearm while supervising children during school transportation.
Questions About School Transportation Safety
The incident raises concerns about background checks and security protocols for personnel working with students during transportation. Illinois law prohibits carrying firearms in schools and school buses, with limited exceptions for law enforcement officers. Bus aides typically undergo background checks before employment, but policies regarding personal belongings and supervision vary by transportation company and school district.
The case highlights vulnerabilities when firearms enter environments where children with special needs require additional supervision. The student’s access to the weapon occurred despite the presence of an adult responsible for maintaining order and safety during transport. Prosecutors will determine whether additional charges related to accessibility of the firearm to a minor are warranted as the investigation continues.