LEOMINSTER, MA (WCVB/CNN) – Police say a man attacked a Massachusetts school bus with a pipe and machete because he was upset his driveway was being used as a bus stop for students.
Elizabeth Price says her 8-year-old son Chris, who has autism, is still afraid to get back on the bus.
Chris watched Wednesday morning as their neighbor, Ricardo Morales, allegedly attacked the boy’s school bus with a machete and pipe for pulling into their driveway.
"There was no provocation for any of this. He literally just lost it,” Price said.
Two other special needs children were on the bus at the time.
"One of them is in a wheelchair. The other one is selective mute. They were all crying. My son couldn't even go to school today because just getting on the bus is scary,” Price said.
The bus driver says Morales, an ex-convict, was screaming when he hit the bus at least three times.
According to the police report, Morales also raised the pipe and machete as if he was going to strike the children.
“One of these kids could have gotten hurt on that bus. My son was standing on the stoop while he was attacking the bus,” Price said.
Morales was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.
The landlord of Morales’ alleged home says the man never lived there but was squatting on the premises. The building was secured and the locks changed.
Still, Price is afraid the man will return.
"My baby, that's my world, and to turn around and have someone do that, knowing how close they were to my house…” she said.
Copyright 2017 WCVB, Leominster Police via CNN. All rights reserved.
