“threatening to kill children”
Hyperbole.
It’s called hyperbole.
LOTS of people say they’re going to “kill you!” if you say anything about her love letter, about her playing sick; anything. Even when they’re really angry, it’s generally hyperbole for “beat the hell out of you”.
Luckily, the police didn’t see it that way. If my kid were on that bus, I’d be making phone calls demanding that he be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. When guys like this aren’t taught a harsh lesson, they just act out more. Without punishment, he might actually hit a kid next time.