CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating two separate incidents where a gun was brought to a school campus.
Both happened on the same day.
Arrest records say an 18-year-old was charged with bringing a gun to Garinger High School on Friday.
Channel 9’s Glenn Counts went to Charlotte Lab School on Sunday, where another man with a gun was arrested. We’re told this was a domestic violence incident.
It happened in the school parking lot around noon Friday.
Police say 29-year-old Deon Leach brought a gun to the Lab School in the middle of the day in broad daylight, regardless who might have seen him.
“This guy was determined,” said Bea Cote’, the founder of the IMPACT Program to change the behavior of abusers. “He was not looking at barriers. He was not considering the repercussions of his behavior. He was intent on getting to her, that’s really clear.”
According to court documents, Leach placed a tracker on the victim’s car and followed her to the school.
He allegedly placed her in a chokehold and threatened to punch her, all while he was armed with a 9mm pistol.
There’s no indication that he displayed it.
Leach was charged with having a gun on educational property, assault on a female, domestic violence and stalking.
“It could have gone very, very badly and it would have impacted so many people including all of the children,” Cote’ said. “Not just the ones who might have seen it.”
Cote’ said she was surprised that a tracking device was used. Most abusers use a phone to keep tabs, even though victims may not be aware they are being tracked, they never relax.
“Stalking victims never think they are OK, for sure they are always having to look over their shoulder,” said Cote’.
Leach is currently in jail under no bond.
He’s scheduled to have his first appearance in court Monday.