The Eagle

Father charged in shooting at Romulus school

Shawntez Marshaun Gregory, 44, of Romulus is facing multiple criminal charges in the shooting incident at Romulus Middle School last Tuesday.

Romulus police responded to a 911 call from the school just before 10 a.m. Jan. 6 placed by school secretary Maria Scott. She made the emergency call and put the school on lockdown after Gregory demanded access to the school, brandishing and firing a handgun.

Scott had previous interactions with Gregory, who had was banned from school property and access to his son. Contact with his son, who attended the school, was restricted by court order following claims filed by his ex-wife alleging he attempted to kidnap the boy. Scott told news media that while previous encounters with the suspect had been without incident, Gregory’s agitation and body language prompted her caution. She said when he reached for the gun in his pocket, she immediately put the school on lockdown and simultaneously notified police. Gregory reportedly fired seven rounds into the air about a foot from the school door.

Police records indicate officers were on the scene within 2 minutes of Scott’s call. Gregory was arrested and police confiscated a firearm with seven empty cylinders. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Gregory with false report or threat of terrorism, schools – intentional threat to commit act of violence against school, school employees or students with specific intent to carry out or overt act toward, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon in a weapons free school zone, reckless use of a firearm, and two counts of felony firearm.

During Gregory’s arraignment at 34^th District Court Jan. 8 before Judge Lisa Martin, he refused to identify himself or answer any questions. He profanely cursed the judge, insulted her intelligence and called the proceedings a joke and a waste of his time. He was remanded to police custody without bond.

“This case is every parent’s nightmare.  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. Luckily, no one was harmed,” said Worthy.

"Everything worked according to how it should've worked, our safety measures, all of them worked," said Superintendent of Romulus Schools Benjamin Edmondson. He said school safety is a priority in the school district which provides training for personnel and has weapons detection systems at school buildings. The real difference in the outcome of the situation was Scott, Edmondson said.

"If we had had a guest at that desk, it looks different," Edmondson said, praising Scott’s quick response and reaction to the situation.

Romulus Middle School Principal Paul Niedermeyer also praised Scott's conduct and response.

"She totally followed protocol. As soon as he arrived at the door, she spoke to him. And as soon as she spoke to him, she could tell that something was wrong and if she would have hit the button and buzzed him in, it would've been a lot different story," Niedermeyer told a television reporter.

Gregory’s next court appearance is set for Jan. 20.