Bus driver arrested, charged with assaulting student in Fridley

A bus driver has been arrested and charged with assaulting a student in Fridley.

Paul Duane Martin, 72, of Ham Lake, is charged with one count of fifth-degree assault.

Police were called at 8:42 a.m. Tuesday by Fridley Middle School Principal Amy Cochran, who reported an assault involving one of the school’s students.

A criminal complaint states Cochran told police a 12-year-old had been assaulted by a school bus driver in the parking lot of Fridley High School. The officer looked at the school’s camera system and found the assault on the sidewalk of the north parking lot at 7:45 a.m.

The bus driver, later identified as Martin, was seen in the video running off the bus, pushing one student and then tackling another student from behind, knocking both to the ground. Martin then stayed on top of the student for a short time before getting up, grabbing something off the ground and handing it to the victim, the complaint states. He then walked back to the bus.

The complaint states Martin talked with police and admitted he "lost it."

Martin made his initial court appearance on Wednesday and remained in custody Wednesday afternoon. His next hearing is set for Feb. 10.