NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Nashville authorities took a 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, around 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, officers from the Rapid School Safety Team were dispatched to The Academy of McCrory Lane in the 9100 block of Newsom Station Road following a call about a teacher at the preschool -- identified as 29-year-old Sheneca Cowart -- threatening to pull a firearm on another teacher and students.
When police arrived at the school, they said 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 the kids.
Using a surveillance camera, authorities 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 that was consistent with their procedures.
As other officers arrived, they said 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.
The affidavit says Cowart didn't have a firearm on her person, but she told police she had one in the driver's side door of her car, which was in the parking lot next to the building.
Authorities interviewed employees, who reported hearing Cowart make threatening statements about the school. Per the affidavit, "The victim stated she heard the defendant 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 the defendant 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.
According to officials, Cowart has been charged with assault, threat of mass violence at a school, and two counts of carrying a weapon onto school property. She is being held on a $37,000 bond.