Children were outside in a fenced play yard at a church-run preschool in Nashville when a woman nearby allegedly started talking about shooting and killing people, according to investigators. Staff at Belmont United Methodist’s weekday school called police after hearing the comments on April 24, and a suspect, identified in court records as 67-year-old Linda Sloan Perry, was later arrested and booked into the Downtown Detention Center on June 7.
An arrest-warrant affidavit filed in Davidson County says Belmont United Methodist operates a weekday school serving children from infancy through age 5 and that Perry was near the fenced outdoor play area when staff heard the remarks, according to FOX17. A teacher told investigators she asked a child to move away from the fence and, after Perry heard the child’s name, Perry allegedly made statements about shooting and killing people. A second teacher reported hearing the same remarks, and staff then contacted police, the affidavit states.
What Police Say Happened Next
The court filing, as described by investigators, says Perry walked away from the play area while continuing to make the threats and was gone by the time officers arrived. An arrest warrant was issued for her on April 24, according to court records. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive or said whether Perry had any prior connection to the preschool.
Booking And Charges
Jail records reviewed by FOX17 show Perry was booked into the Downtown Detention Center on June 7. She is charged with one count of threatening to commit an act of mass violence. The same records list separate felony burglary and misdemeanor theft counts, though court documents did not immediately clarify whether those additional charges are connected to the April incident. Prosecutors in Davidson County will determine which charges to pursue as the case moves through court.
How Tennessee Treats Threats Of Mass Violence
In recent years, Tennessee lawmakers have updated state law to treat threats of mass violence on school property or at school-related activities as a serious criminal offense and to give courts more tools to gauge risk. The statute and later amendments allow for threat assessments and, in some situations, mental health evaluations as part of pretrial procedures. For the full statute language and legislative history, see the Tennessee General Assembly. Legal reading may not be thrilling, but in cases like this it matters.
Belmont’s Recent Scares And Neighborhood Unease
Belmont United Methodist’s weekday school serves families from across the neighborhood, and earlier safety scares at the campus have left many on edge. In 2023, Metro police responded after a man jumped a playground fence at the Belmont campus and made threats that triggered an evacuation; that suspect was later charged, according to a Metro Nashville Police Department news release.
Church leaders did not immediately post a public statement about the latest arrest and did not respond to requests for comment.
Investigators and prosecutors have not released additional scheduling details about upcoming hearings, and the case remains under review by the district attorney’s office. Anyone with information about the April incident is asked to contact Metro Nashville Police or Crime Stoppers.
