Mother arrested for threatening to shoot another mom in the school drop-off line

MIAMI, FL – A tense confrontation on the first day of school led to a Miami mother facing serious charges after allegedly threatening another parent in a school drop-off line. The incident unfolded as parents navigated the busy morning routine at Arcola Lake Elementary.

Jennifer Escobar, attempting to cross Northwest 11th Avenue with her autistic son, recounted the distressing moment when another parent, 39-year-old Erica Cruz, became infuriated by their pace. According to Escobar, Cruz threatened her, saying, “You have one more thing to say. Just say one word and I’m going to shoot you in your face.”

Escobar described how Cruz began cursing and then drove forward, striking her with the car. The altercation intensified as Cruz allegedly reached into her purse, suggesting she had a firearm without explicitly displaying it.

A passerby intervened, urging Cruz not to escalate the situation further. “Thanks to a bystander, the situation was diffused,” Escobar said, recalling the tense encounter.

Following the incident, police responded swiftly, placing the school on lockdown and apprehending Cruz as she attempted to leave the campus. Officers discovered a gun inside her purse, leading to her arrest.

“This is a terrible way for a child to start the school year,” Escobar lamented. “Parents need to set a good example and exercise patience, especially on the first day.”

Cruz is currently in custody, facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and improper display of a firearm on school grounds. The community remains shaken by the incident, highlighting the need for calm and understanding during school drop-offs.

As the investigation continues, parents at Arcola Lake Elementary are reminded of the importance of patience and the impact their actions can have on their children.