If it was a SGTC type of tesla coil, then yes, it will cause an EMC havoc. Otherwise not much likely.
I had to look SGTC up and yes, it used a spark gap. The spark gap just by itself was so horrendously loud and bright that it was terrifying.
I've seen a .357 Magnum shoot through three telephone books and a gallon milk jug filled with water like it was nothing. (And that was from a revolver with only a 2" barrel!)
And apparently they used a Desert Eagle in .50 Action Express which, for those who are not familiar with it, is a rebated rim cartridge intended to be used in place of .44 magnum in self loading firearms. What kind of book could she have even found which would stop that which one person could hold against their chest? I suspect it would go through as many phone books as you could stack and hold in front of you.