A North Carolina woman is accused of threatening to shoot an elementary school employee and of threatening to enlist the help of the Bloods gang to "shoot up" the school, police said.
Tarshia Sutton Cogdell. 51, was charged Tuesday with one felony count each of communicating threats, and communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property, according to Pitt County arrest records. She is being held without bond.
Greenville police spokeswoman Kristen Hunter said authorities went to South Greenville Elementary School on Monday after an employee called to report a parent had come into the school's front office and threatened her and the school, WNCT reported.
According to an arrest warrant, Cogdell told the employee "I will shoot you," the television station reported. Cogdell also allegedly told the woman that she would "shoot up the school by getting the Bloods to come to the school."
The school was temporarily placed on lockdown and extra police officers were assigned to the school, WNCT reported.
Cogdell was arrested and taken to the Pitt County Detention Center, the television station reported.
On Wednesday, officials with Pitt County Schools issued a statement confirming that a "serious threat" was made at South Greenville Elementary School.
"Our staff, school resources and Greenville Police responded quickly, and necessary precautions were taken to ensure safety at the school itself," the statement said. "We take every threat seriously, as the safety of students and staff is our top priority."
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