Tennessee teacher arrested after bringing guns to preschool, threatening co-worker, police say

A Middle Tennessee teacher has been arrested on multiple felony gun charges after police said she brought guns to a preschool she works at and allegedly threatened a co-worker.

Sheneca Cowart, 29, is facing one count of assault, one count of threat of mass violence at a school and two counts of carrying a weapon onto school property following the Thursday incident at The Academy of McCrory Lane in Nashville.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, school safety officers took Cowart into custody after witnesses said she threatened to grab a firearm and made threats against another teacher and the school after an argument.

Staff told police she threatened to “shoot up” the preschool and that she keeps a firearm “on her," WSMV-TV reported.

One teacher told police she heard Cowart say, “When I start shooting, you better run,” the outlet reported, adding the school was locked down shortly after until police arrived.

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Police say preschool teacher brought multiple guns to school

According to police, officers recovered a handgun from Cowart’s purse and a second firearm in the driver’s side door of her vehicle.

At the scene, police said, Cowart was arrested and booked into jail on $37,000 bond.

Online Davidson County Sheriff's Office records show Cowart posted bail late Thursday night.

USA TODAY has reached out to the preschool.

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Teacher who brought guns to preschool due in court next month

Davidson County Criminal Court clerk records show Cowart is due in court on May 10.

It was not immediately known if she had entered a plea in the case and an attorney of record was not listed in her online court file.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.