A Lady's Island woman facing an attempted murder charge after allegedly trying to shoot a Charleston school official Monday legally purchased the pistol, police said Wednesday.
Charleston Police spokesman Charles Francis would not say, however, where Alice Boland, 28, acquired the .22-caliber Taurus PT handgun police took from her when she was arrested in front of Ashley Hall in downtown Charleston.
A police report said Boland was pacing back and forth and mumbling to herself in the area where students gather for car pool pick-up. She drew the gun from a handbag when school officials approached her. Boland allegedly pulled the trigger several times, but the gun did not fire. She said during a bond hearing Tuesday that the gun was defective. Authorities said the gun was loaded with eight rounds but have not said why it did not fire.
Boland was charged Monday with attempted murder, two counts of pointing a firearm, unlawful carrying of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, according to Charleston County court records. Her bail was set Tuesday at $900,000. She remains in custody in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston
Officers called to the school said in a report they recognized Boland from an incident two years ago in which they said she harassed Ashley Hall school children and acted suspiciously.
Boland said during her bond hearing she was trying to hold a political demonstration against "racist feminists."
Boland lives on Francis Marion Court on Lady's Island with her parents.
Her father, Don, said Wednesday his daughter has struggled with mental health problems.
Her mother, Dellann, said during the hearing she has power of attorney over her daughter and offered to allow a public defender or other legal representative access to her daughter's medical records.
Both parents declined to further comment when reached by phone Wednesday.
Boland will be in court again July 13, according to court records.
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