According to a press release from the Greensboro Police Department, detectives are continuing to look into the motive of a 26-year-old man who broke into Irving Park Elementary School in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 13. At just after 6 a.m. that morning, officers were dispatched. to the school at 1310 Sunset Drive in response to a burglary alarm.

Officer J. Bellomy spoke with the elementary school’s principal, who said she would review the surveillance camera footage for any unusual activity. The officer also conducted a security sweep of the school at that time.

Three days later, on April 16, at about 10:40 a.m., the principal contacted Bellomy to tell him that she’d seen the video footage and it showed a man walking inside the school building with a rifle.

According to the statement from the department, the footage also showed the car the drove to the campus. Bellomy responded to the school at about 11 a.m. to review the video footage and he contacted a detective, who was sent pictures of the suspect.

Later that day, other police teams were called in to assist. Those included the Violent Crime Response Team and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team.

 The vehicle seen in the footage was positively associated with Jonathan Cameron Coley, a 26-year-old Greensboro resident.

According to the report, “By 1:40 p.m., surveillance efforts were initiated on the suspect’s home, where the vehicle was also spotted.”

 Just before 3 p.m., warrants were applied for – and approved–against Coley for possessing a gun on educational property, a felony, and breaking or entering, which is a  misdemeanor.

Officers determined Coley may be in a rental vehicle.  About 45 minutes later, Coley was observed driving the other vehicle by Officer Bellomy, who informed supervisors.

At 4:15 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop of Coley, who was then taken into custody.

Drugs were found in the vehicle, resulting in additional charges. Officers also seized five firearms during their investigation.

Coley was being held under a no bond order charged with Felony  Possession of a gun on educational property, Possession of marijuana, Maintaining a dwelling or vehicle for controlled substance. Breaking or entering and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During his court appearance the following day, Coley was deemed a “threat to the community” and was placed under a $25,000 bond.

He’s been banned from all Guilford County school property as well as any other educational school property, including community colleges, and he’s been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation before any potential release.

The Greensboro Police Department notes that “Additional charges may be forthcoming as a result of this active investigation.”

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