2 arrested after business receives threat of mass shooting

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. (KBSI) – Two people face firearm and drug charges after the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a business about a threat of a mass shooting on the morning of March 31.

The business reported that the employment of an employee had been terminated on March 30.

The employee was living on the business property at the time, according to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office.

The business reported that a male who was living with the employee had sent a text message to another person stating that he was near “going on a killing spree.”

A McCracken County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the scene and identified the former employee as 55-year-old Sonya S. Leeds of Gilbert, Arizona.

The man who was living with Leeds was identified as 51-year-old Edward E. Collett, of Mesa, Arizona.

Leeds and Collett returned to the business to retrieve items they had left behind around 11 a.m. Deputies and Detectives were at the scene when they arrived.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and hotel room. Deputies found a loaded .40 caliber pistol in the trunk of the car, according to the sheriff’s office.

They found a 9mm Hipoint carbine, and quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in a search of the hotel room, according to the sheriff’s office.

Leeds and Collett have previous felony convictions that prohibit them from owning or possessing firearms. Collet has a lengthy criminal history from multiple states.

Edward E. Collett, 51, of Mesa, Arizona faces charges of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, terroristic threatening third degree, possession of a controlled substance 1st degree – 1st offense (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance 1st degree – 1st offense (cocaine), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sonya Leeds, 55, of Gilbert, Ariz. faces charges of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of a controlled substance 1st degree, 1st offense (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance 1st degree 1st offense (cocaine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Collett and Leeds were arrested and taken to the McCracken County Regional Detention Facility.