LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The Allen County Sheriff's Office is investigating a report of an 8-year-old student who brought a gun onto a school bus on Tuesday.
The Elida School District says it received a report from a parent Tuesday evening. She told officials her son, and possibly other students, saw a student with a gun on Elida bus number four. That bus transports students to and from St. Charles, St. Gerard, St. Rose, Temple Christian, Lima Central Catholic, and Heir Force Community School. Officials say the student involved was not an Elida student.
After receiving the report, the district contacted the Allen County Sheriff's Office, which confirmed the student had a weapon inside a backpack on the bus. Allen County Sheriff Matt Treglia says this incident is an example of why it's important for kids especially to speak up when something seems wrong.
"This is a classic case, in my opinion, of 'See Something, Say Something'," said Treglia. "This took off yesterday at about 5pm, and our detectives got a hold of it, we started working with both schools that also worked great. Working with both schools, we were able to get in front of this to make sure no one was injured, and then we had a great outcome on this. Now that being said, we are looking forward into this to find out how this young child would obtain this weapon, and that's going to be the bigger problem here."
Authorities say limited information can be released because the case involves a juvenile. Sheriff Treglia reminds parents to keep weapons locked, secured, and out of reach of children.
January 14, 2026, Press Release from Elida Local School District:
Last evening we received a report from a concerned parent that her son and possibly others had witnessed an elementary age student in possession of a gun on bus #4. This is a bus that transports students to/from St Charles, St. Gerard, St Rose, Temple Christian, LCC, and Heir Force. This did not impact any students attending any of Elida’s school buildings.
Upon receiving this information, the district contacted the Allen County Sheriff’s Department to file a report. Since that report was filed, the Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that the student did in fact have this weapon in his/her backpack on the bus.
At this time there is no ongoing threat, and we are continuing to investigate and fully cooperate with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. Because this situation involves a student, we are not able to share additional details, however, the student involved may face disciplinary actions from the school he/she attends and our district’s transportation department.
Thank you to those students and parents who reported the incident, and to the help of the Sheriff’s Department investigating. All such reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, which has led to this quick resolution.
January 14, 2026, Press Release from the Allen County Sheriff's Office:
On January 13, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., the Allen County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Elida Local School District regarding an elementary student who had reportedly been in possession of a firearm earlier that day while on a school bus. Deputies responded and made contact with the 8-year-old student involved, the student’s parent or guardian, and school officials. The school that the child attended notified parents of the incident.
There were no reported injuries. This investigation remains ongoing.
“This was a classic case of ‘see something, say something.’ One child speaking up and telling parents what they saw led to this office and the schools being aware of the situation. We appreciate that both schools involved acted swiftly and immediately involved law enforcement.
Please secure your firearms and keep them out of the reach of children. Talk to your children about gun safety. Education is key.”
-Allen County Sheriff Matthew B. Treglia
