Share this @internewscast.com
Inset: Shawntez Marshaun Gregory (WDIV/YouTube). Background: Romulus Middle School in Romulus, Michigan (Google Maps).
A Michigan father has been charged after allegedly discharging a firearm near his son’s middle school, following a dispute over his request to pick up his child.
Shawntez Marshaun Gregory, 44, is facing multiple charges, including making a false report or threat of terrorism, issuing an intentional threat of violence against a school, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a weapon in a school zone, and reckless firearm use.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office described the incident as a “nightmare” in a recent press release, noting it unfolded on a Tuesday morning.
At approximately 9:50 a.m., Gregory’s son was in attendance at Romulus Middle School, situated in Romulus, a city roughly 25 minutes west of Detroit.
Officials report that Gregory was denied entry when he attempted to pick up his son, an action that reportedly led to his frustration.
Standing just a foot away from the school building, Gregory is accused of firing a handgun multiple times, though not directed at the school, according to prosecutors. The incident prompted a lockdown at the school, and the Romulus Police Department responded to reports describing “an active shooter outside of the school.”
Officers arrived and arrested Gregory. The prosecutor’s office said no one was physically injured.
Gregory appeared virtually in Romulus District Court on Thursday, where more details about the harrowing incident came to light. But the court appearance was far from typical, with the defendant refusing to engage with the judge and going on a long indignant tirade.
“Nope, good f— bye,” Gregory replied when the judge asked him to state his name, according to a video of the appearance shared by Detroit-based NBC affiliate WDIV. “Don’t need to talk to me, quit f— playing with me.”
“I said good f— bye. I don’t need to talk to you. Goodbye,” he added when asked again. “Don’t play with me. Don’t play on my son, either. Goodbye.”
At one point, as the judge read the allegations against him, Gregory reportedly stuck his fingers in his ears.
“This is the fakest s— I’ve seen in my life,” the defendant said, telling the judge, “Why don’t you get a real job? Go get a real job.”
Gregory has had multiple complaints of trespassing lobbied against him, and he has kidnapped his own son from school, which violated court orders, according to the judge. He received a trespass letter from the school, and prosecutors asked that he not be given bond and that he have no contact with the school, its students and officials, his child or ex-wife.
“This case is every parent’s nightmare,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. “The defendant allegedly fired a gun several times in proximity to the school when he was denied entry to get his son. The immediate reporting of an active shooter by the school allowed the Romulus Police to quickly respond and apprehend the defendant.”
Gregory is scheduled to re-appear in court for a probable cause conference on Jan. 20, with a preliminary hearing to take place a week later.