Nashville Preschool Teacher Arrested for Threatening Colleague, Gun Possession

Nashville preschool teacher Sheneca Cowart Academy of McCrory Lane

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 21, 09:20 am

Photo: (Photo : JOHN AMIS / Getty Images)

Sheneca Cowart, a preschool teacher in Tennessee, was taken into custody after being accused of making threatening remarks about shooting a fellow staff member and making threats against the school.

The situation, resulting in charges related to assault and possession of a weapon, occurred at the Academy of McCrory Lane, located in Nashville.

Nashville Preschool Teacher Threatens Shooting

A preschool teacher in Nashville found herself in custody last Thursday after allegedly making threats against a colleague and the school during a heated exchange.

According to official records from Davidson County, officers responded to The Academy of McCrory Lane on Newsom Station Road around 11 a.m. that Thursday.

Reports indicated that a teacher at the preschool, identified as 29-year-old Sheneca Cowart, was making threats involving a firearm directed at another teacher and students.

Upon arriving at the school, law enforcement confirmed the lockdown situation with an employee in the parking lot. Cowart was reportedly inside a classroom with another teacher and children at the time.

Security footage reviewed by Metro police revealed that Cowart was not visibly armed and was following the school's lockdown procedures by moving children into a closet, as confirmed by school staff.

As additional officers arrived on the scene, they observed Cowart complying with instructions, exiting the classroom, and being taken into custody without resistance.

During questioning, Cowart denied having a firearm on her but admitted to having one stored in her car's driver's side door, parked nearby.

Statements from school personnel corroborated hearing Cowart make threatening remarks about the school, including the alarming statement captured in the affidavit, where Cowart allegedly mentioned intentions to "shoot up" the school and her habit of carrying a gun.

According to the affidavit document, "The victim stated she heard [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."

Adding, "Another teacher stated she overheard [Cowart] say things such as when I start shooting you better run."

The situation remains under investigation by local authorities, with Cowart facing charges related to the threats and firearm possession allegations.

Legal Actions and School's Response

The Nashville preschool teacher is now facing serious charges, including assault, threat of mass violence at a school, and two counts of carrying weapons onto school premises, stemming from an incident at The Academy of McCrory Lane in Nashville.

As per law enforcement statements, Cowart admitted to making a threat about shooting someone in the kneecaps earlier but claimed it was not related to the recent events.

She denied making any threatening statements during the Thursday, April 18, incident and asserted that she had no intention of leaving her classroom to retrieve her gun.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a loaded handgun concealed in Cowart's small purse, which was hanging in the classroom where she was located, along with another firearm found in her vehicle's driver's side door.

The charges against Cowart remained serious, leading to her being held on a $37,000 bond until her release from custody on Thursday night.