GREENSBORO, N.C. — Police said a man is in custody after a break-in at an elementary school in Greensboro.
Greensboro police said they were sent to Irving Park Elementary School in response to a burglary alarm on Saturday, April 13 around 6:10 a.m. following the call an officer did a security sweep of the school.
A few days later the principal followed up with police after reviewing surveillance footage for any unusual activity.
Police said the principal described the surveillance footage showing a man walking inside the school with a long gun. The footage also showed the car the man drove to the school. From there, police said several special teams began working to identify the man.
Detectives identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jonathan Cameron Coley, of Greensboro. Police said they surveilled his home, where they also found the car seen on the school's footage.
Police put out warrants for Coley for breaking and entering and possessing a gun on educational property just before 3 p.m. that same day. Detectives then learned he could be in a rental vehicle. About an hour later, they found him driving the other vehicle. He was pulled over and taken into custody. Police said they found drugs in the car and five guns were seized during the investigation. Coley was placed in jail under no bond.
On April 16, Coley was charged with:
- Possessing gun on educational property (F)
- Possession of marijuana (F)
- Maintain dwelling/vehicle for controlled substance (F)
- Breaking or entering (M)
- Possessing Marijuana Paraphernalia (M)
Coley appeared in court April 17, where he was deemed a “threat to the community” and then placed under a $25,000 bond, as well as given these conditions:
- Coley is banned from all Guilford County Schools, as well as any educational school property, including colleges and community colleges
- He must relinquish any and all firearms and ammunition when asked to do so by any law enforcement officer
- He must undergo a mental health evaluation before any potential release (MHAT)
Police said additional charges may be forthcoming as a result of the investigation.
Joe Rieke, a parent of an IPE student, released the following statement:
“Obviously, the first thing to address is that current restrictions on firearms continue to fail. Until we really work towards changing this, and bravely advocate for our children’s safety, we will continue to face situations like this. Second, school leadership was in touch with Irving Park parents throughout the week and briefed us on the situation yesterday. Our school and district leadership are extremely responsive and I’m sure as we progress through the next few days parent/GCS discourse will lead to outcomes that ensure the safety of our students as well as the comfort of IPE families. As to whether or not I am shocked by this incident, until we see more significant legislation that further restricts access to firearms and ammunition as well as seek real support for individuals facing addiction and mental health crisis, I will continue to not be shocked by incidents such as this.”
The investigation is ongoing.
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