Pepper Spray Incident On Howell School Bus Under Investigation

HOWELL, NJ — Pepper spray that a parent gave to her middle school daughter was sprayed on a school bus Tuesday, forcing students to transfer to another bus but causing no injuries, Howell police said Tuesday evening.

The incident happened on a First Student bus that serves the West Farms Road area, police said.

A student from Howell Middle School North claimed to have accidentally kicked the can of pepper spray, which was said to be on the floor of the bus, causing it to spray, police said.

A parent contacted the Howell school district and told officials she had given the pepper spray to her daughter for her own safety, police said.

There were no injuries and the students were transferred to another bus.

The incident remains under investigation. "Interviews are being conducted and bus video footage is being reviewed. The school district is also actively involved," police said.

Police said parents should not give their children pepper spray or similar items.

"The students can be disciplined by the district and the juvenile as well as the parent(s) can be charged criminally by the police," the police department said. "During school, leave the protection to us."

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