School bus driver ‘stops to buy a gun while transporting students’

A school bus driver allegedly purchased a rifle while on the job and brought the gun into the vehicle while transporting students.

David Ferry, 57, purchased a .22 caliber rifle on Monday and was spotted driving away in a Naples school bus, according to the New York State Police.

Troopers responded to a complaint in progress and communicated to Ontario County Sheriff’s Office deputies to conduct a traffic stop.

Ferry was pulled over on State Route 247 in Gorham, and authorities found 12 students aboard the bus.

‘The rifle was secured under a seat in the original package, and there was no ammunition,’ said state police.

Naples Central School officials were alerted and also came to the scene.

Ferry was arrested and has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds and endangering the welfare of a child.

‘There is no indication that Ferry purchased the rifle with the intent of carrying out school violence, and there are no credible threats to Naples Central School, its students, or staff,’ stated police.

Ferry is expected to appear at the Gorham Town Court on the afternoon of February 18.

Gorham is about 40 miles southeast of Rochester in the upstate region.

It happened several months after a New York City private van driver picked up a five-year-old girl from her home to take her school and allegedly failed to check for any remaining students on board before going to a doctor’s appointment 10 minutes away from the campus.

The kindergartner was asleep in the vehicle and when she woke up, used her shoes to kick out a window and caught the attention of a stranger who was walking past. It was not immediately clear if the van driver was charged, but the girl’s farther said he intended to hire a lawyer.

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