The Collegedale Police Department on Thursday afternoon responded to a potential threat involving a Cleveland State Community College student and her boyfriend, Eric James Nerison, a 26-year-old Hamilton County corrections deputy.
The student reported to instructors and to Cleveland Police that they had been receiving threatening text messages from Nerison while they had been in class. The messages indicated that Nerison intended to go to the school to commit acts of violence against the victim and other students.
As a precautionary measure, Cleveland State Community College was placed into lockdown while officials with the college notified law enforcement in Bradley County.
Officers from Collegedale were requested to conduct a welfare check at Nerison's apartment, located in the Hills Parc apartment complex, after Bradley County officials had made contact with him over the phone.
Officers were advised that Nerison was intoxicated and armed, and making statements that he intended to harm himself and others.
Collegedale Police made contact with Nerison and placed him safely into custody without further incident. During the investigation it was learned that the victim had allegedly been assaulted by Nerison earlier in the morning before they had gone to school.
Nerison was charged with domestic assault and false imprisonment. Several firearms were recovered from his residence and secured as evidence.
Nerison is expected to appear in front of the Collegedale Municipal Court on Dec. 4.
The Cleveland State campus was put on lockdown Thursday after the threat was reported.
Officials said, "A Cleveland State student in class on the Cleveland campus has received a credible threat of domestic violence. In an abundance of caution, we have locked down the campus, and we are adopting the active shooter protocol. Exterior doors have already been locked.
"The campus police are leading the response to this threat and being supported by local law enforcement. We will provide more information as circumstances permit."
Officials said at 12:30 p.m., "Local law enforcement have apprehended the individual who allegedly communicated the threat. Cleveland State Community College main campus has returned to normal operations."
Sheriff Austin Garrett terminated probationary Corrections Deputy Nerison following the off-duty incident that led to his arrest in Collegedale.
Nerison, who joined the Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 5, was terminated due to his off-duty conduct just 13 weeks into his six-month probationary period. As a probationary employee, he was not entitled to a pre-disciplinary hearing per Civil Service guidelines.