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CMS bus driver arrested for reportedly having gun at fleet parking lot

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus driver was arrested Wednesday for having a 40-caliber Glock handgun in her Dodge Charger which was parked at the bus fleet parking lot on Northpointe Industrial Boulevard in north Charlotte, police said.

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Initially, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police executed a drug-related search warrant for the bus driver's husband, Dupree Peterson, at their home on Pawtuckett Road.

The officers noted a firearm was unaccounted for during their investigation, which led them to Patterson's wife, Shaquia Patterson, 33, who was believed to have the gun.

Investigators went to the CMS bus parking lot and met Shaquia Patterson when she returned from her bus route, CMPD said.

The police found the loaded gun in her purse inside the car.

Shaquia Patterson

(Shaquia Patterson)

“It's very unfortunate and very disappointing that she would be so careless with her job, with students,” said a bus driver, who did not want to be identified.

Although she had a conceal-carried permit, she was arrested for having a gun on educational property.

Shaquia Patterson was taken into custody and spoke with officers investigating drug dealing at her home, CMPD said.