MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A man and woman were arrested Tuesday following two separate confrontations with a Marion County school bus driver that ended with a weapon being thrown through a window.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the incident began earlier in the day when 33-year-old Natasha Francois boarded a Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) bus and initiated a verbal altercation with the driver. The driver repeatedly asked her to leave, but she refused to comply and continued to cause a disturbance. She eventually exited the vehicle.
Later that afternoon, around 2:45 p.m., Corporal Shykeitha Sheffield responded to the 15900 block of SW 35th Court Road after a report of a man throwing a pair of brass knuckles through the window of a school bus. Upon arrival, Sheffield spoke with the driver, who stated that he had noticed a Toyota Camry following him throughout his route. The vehicle was driven by 25-year-old Bryan Francois.
MCSO says that the bus driver attempted to avoid the vehicle by changing his route, but Bryan continued to follow the bus until the final stop of the day. Once all students had exited, Bryan approached the bus and threw the brass knuckles through a window as the bus pulled away, causing approximately $400 in damage.
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Corporal Linsey Mendoza followed up on the investigation and learned of the earlier incident involving Natasha Francois. Deputies later made contact with both Bryan and Natasha. During questioning, they say that Bryan admitted to following the bus and said he was angry about his sister’s earlier confrontation with the driver. He acknowledged throwing the brass knuckles out of frustration.
Bryan Francois was arrested and charged with Throwing a Missile into a Vehicle, Carrying a Prohibited Weapon, Criminal Mischief, and Disturbing a School Function. Natasha Francois was charged with Trespassing on School Property and Disturbing a School Function.
Both individuals were transported to the Marion County Jail.
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