Teacher accused of threatening to pull gun on another teacher, students at Nashville preschool
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nashville preschool teacher into custody Thursday after she reportedly made threats against another teacher and the school following an argument.
According to a Davidson County affidavit, officers from the Rapid School Safety Team were dispatched to The Academy of McCrory Lane on Newsom Station Road at around 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18.
Authorities had received a call about a teacher at the preschool — later identified as 29-year-old Sheneca Cowart — who was reportedly threatening to pull a firearm on another teacher and students.
When officers arrived at the school, they met with an employee in the parking lot who confirmed the school was on lockdown and Cowart was still in the classroom with another teacher and children, according to Metro police
Alleged stalker arrested after sending Nashville woman 200 threatening texts
Using a surveillance camera, Metro police reported officers were able to see inside the room, where they noted Cowart had no visible weapons and was moving the children into a closet. School staff members confirmed this is consistent with their procedures.
As other officers arrived, they moved down the hallway and could see inside the classroom. Cowart reportedly stepped out of the closet, followed orders to come to the hallway and was taken into custody without incident.
Cowart told officers she didn’t have a firearm on her, but she said she had one in the driver’s side door of her car, which was in the parking lot next to the building, according to Metro police.
Shooting victim attempts to save woman from carjacking at South Nashville McDonald’s
Authorities interviewed employees, who reported hearing Cowart make threatening statements about the school. Per the affidavit, “The victim stated she heard the Cowart say that she was going to shoot up the school and that she keeps her gun on her. Another teacher corroborated hearing that threat. Another teacher stated she overheard Cowart say things such as when I start shooting you better run.”
According to police, Cowart said she told a teacher she was going to shoot them in the kneecaps because it would not kill them. However, Cowart said she made that threat on April 10, adding that she didn’t make any threatening statements on Thursday and that she knew she wouldn’t leave her classroom to retrieve her gun.
Officers said they found a loaded handgun hidden inside Cowart’s small purse, which was on a hook in the classroom where she was found, and a second firearm in the driver’s side door of her vehicle.
⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com
According to officials, Cowart was charged with assault, threat of mass violence at a school, and two counts of carrying a weapon onto school property. She was held on a $37,000 bond before she was released from jail Thursday night.
No additional information was immediately released.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
