MINT HILL, N.C. — Police in Mint Hill say a 37-year-old woman was arrested after pulling out a gun following an altercation at Mint Hill Middle School early Thursday morning.
According to the Mint Hill Police Department, a victim told an officer who was directing traffic near the school that she was being followed by a woman who had just brandished a firearm at her.
The officer found the suspect’s vehicle behind the victim’s vehicle and pulled her over.
Police said the incident started on Mint Hill Middle School property while students were being dropped off for the day. Police said the two women had a “verbal altercation,” and it continued while they left the school property. The victim told police that while they were leaving, the suspect pulled out the gun while following her and “gesturing in a threatening manner.”
Police found the gun inside the suspect’s car, and they said she had it while on the school grounds during the drop-off.
According to an affidavit obtained by Channel 9, Abrams was dropping off her children at Mint Hill Elementary School when the victim allegedly “attempted to run [her] off the road.” MHES and MHMS share the same entry from Idlewild Road.
The suspect was identified by MHPD as 37-year-old Jodie Rinehart. However, jail and court records list the suspect’s name as Jodie Abrams.
The affidavit says that Abrams grabbed a .38 special from her glove box and showed it to the victim while passing her on Idlewild Road. The officer who was directing traffic said that before Abrams got out of the car, she pointed the gun at her own head and “directed that action so [the victim] could see her as a threat.”
Abrams is facing a charge of felony possession of a weapon on campus or other educational property, and communicating threats.
Mint Hill Middle School Principal Nakia Gamble sent a message to parents Thursday saying that students and staff were safe.
According to Gamble’s message, both of the women involved in the incident were parents of students at the school.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.