2 Country Day coaches lose jobs after gun incident at school

Two Charlotte Country Day coaches have lost their jobs after one was accused of using a firearm to threaten the other at the school.

The school initially said the coaches were suspended pending an investigation. Thursday morning, Country Day officials said the coaches are no longer employed at the school on Carmel Road in south Charlotte.

Police on Wednesday arrested 29-year-old Tyrez Tarell Neal, head coach of the junior varsity girls basketball team, on a charge of possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Neal is accused of using a firearm to threaten Dijuan Harris, also 29, who was an assistant coach on the varsity boys basketball team.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon at the school. Country Day security told officers that an altercation occurred between two coaches on the school campus. No students were hurt, police said.

Officers found two firearms belonging to Neal and arrested him without incident.

Neal was taken to CMPD’s Providence Division, where he was interviewed and then taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and jailed late Wednesday.

“We are very sorry that this unfortunate incident has occurred,” the school said in a statement. “The safety of students, faculty and staff is always our primary concern.“

School security quickly became aware of the situation, contacted CMPD and remained on scene until officers arrived, the school said.

“We continue to be in close communication with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and we thank them for their fast response and concern for the well-being of our community,” the school said

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 10:17 PM with the headline "2 Country Day coaches lose jobs after gun incident at school."