Fort Jackson trainee arrested after hijacking school bus while carrying gun - Fox News

A trainee from Fort Jackson in South Carolina has been arrested after he fled from the base and hijacked a school bus while carrying his gun, officials said.

Milford Beagle Jr., said that the trainee, 23, was reported missing at about 7 a.m.

Richland County deputies said at some point he abandoned his government-issued M-4 carbine rifle before they arrested him.

The trainee then drove a mile further down the road before abandoning the bus and his rifle, officials said.

Fort Jackson officials have said they are cooperating fully with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation and has Collazo in custody. .

told reporters that base officials believe that the trainee escaped by jumping a fence, topped with barbwire, which was not heavily monitored.

He said the area around the base is "heavily forested." .

Collazo's family has been informed of the serious charges against him, Fort Jackson said in a statement.

The base is also conducting its own investigation into the matter.

noted only "a few times" in the past that trainees have actually fled from the base, but "never with a weapon."