Man who hijacked Springfield school bus deemed unable to proceed

UPDATE 9/26/2024 — A Springfield man who allegedly forced his way onto a Springfield school bus has been committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Online court records show William Trenton Moore appeared in court on Aug. 27, 2024 and was declared incompetent and unable to proceed.

Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson tells KOLR 10 Investigates that means the case is effectively on hold, at least for now.

“Typically what happens is the Department of Mental Health evaluates and treats the individual and then in six months will provide another report that will tell us whether they believe in the foreseeable future that he’ll be restored to competency,” said Patterson.

In some cases the suspect may never be deemed competent to proceed. If that happens then charges could be dropped, but they could also be re-filed later on.

Original story:

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Prosecutors in Springfield have filed charges against a man who forced his way onto a Springfield school bus on Wednesday, April 4.

William T. Moore is charged with vehicle hijacking, assault with intent to commit bus hijacking and a sex offender violation of being within 500 feet of a school building or transport.

“We’ll be looking at that case more in detail now that we have him in custody to make sure we have the full range of charges filed,” said Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson.

According to a probable cause statement, Moore stepped to the front doors while the bus was in a waiting area and forced them open. Moore then stepped onto the bus and took the keys from the ignition switch. Most of the juvenile occupants were able to exit towards the back of the bus.

A witness told police they exchanged words with Moore when he forced the doors open to the bus. The witness told Moore to get off the bus to which Moore responded, “What bus?” When he was told to get off the bus again, he then said, “This is my bus.”

Moore retreated to his residence in the 2800 block of S. Barnes where he refused to come out for several hours. After a search warrant was obtained, officers entered the home and Moore was eventually apprehended and taken into custody.

Moore is a registered sex offender and has a prior charge in 2021 of third-degree kidnapping and was placed on probation, according to the probable cause statement.

“Because of this person’s criminal history, the danger posed by this offense, that is why we’ve sought to have him be held without bond,” Patterson said. “I would anticipate us seeking a prison sentence. It’s just it’s much too early for me to say what that might be.”

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