A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly threatening another mother at her child’s elementary school.
Erika Letisha Cruz, 39, was arrested at Arcola Lake Elementary School in Miami on Thursday after another mother claimed she threatened to “shoot [her] in the face.” The alleged altercation reportedly occurred near the school’s drop-off line on the first day of class. According to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate WTVJ, the target of Cruz’s rage, who was walking into the school with her disabled son, was also allegedly hit by Cruz’s vehicle while being told to “hurry the f— up.”
According to local CBS affiliate WSVN, Cruz exited her vehicle and approached the other mother, allegedly threatening, “Say one more word and I am going to shoot you in the face.”
Cruz appeared in court on Friday, before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer. WTVJ reported that the father of Cruz’s child objected to some of the charges. A Miami-Dade Schools police officer who was involved in Cruz’s arrest attended the hearing and told the judge that he did not believe the alleged bump by Cruz’s vehicle was intentional.
Police discovered a Sig Sauer P238 handgun with four rounds in Cruz’s purse when she was arrested. Cruz was charged with three felonies: having a firearm on school property, aggravated assault with a firearm, and aggravated battery. Cruz is unable to post bond until an amount is determined for the third charge. She is still in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, but she has been approved for pretrial release after posting bond.
Glazer addressed Cruz during the hearing, saying, “What a terrible way for your child to start the first day of school with Mom being hauled off to jail. You know, you have to be an adult and set a good example while also, you know, relaxing. It’s extremely upsetting.
Glazer continued, “Oh boy, stay away from the alleged victim.” A stay-away order was recorded in court documents.
