Assistant Principal and Her Mother Fatally Shot in Front of Students

An assistant principal and her mother were fatally shot in front of students after a domestic dispute turned deadly Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 30). Police say the suspected shooter — the assistant principal’s husband — then turned the gun on himself.

The incident happened around 4 p.m. near the entrance of Lincoln Middle School on 16th Street in Berwyn, Illinois. Officers who were nearby heard gunfire and rushed to the scene, where they briefly came under fire before the man killed himself with the same rifle, according to NBC Chicago.

Victims Identified

Authorities identified the victims as Nerissa Lee, an assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School, her mother, and her husband, Steven. The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed that Steven died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Relatives say the couple’s relationship had been strained since June and had recently reached a breaking point.
Lee’s sister, Shana Everage, said the tragedy, while devastating, did not come entirely as a surprise.

“I mean, it’s a horrible thing, you know, I have a lot of emotions. I don’t quite know what to feel,” she said.

Community and School Response

Berwyn North School District 98 expressed heartbreak over the loss, describing Lee as “a dedicated educator and leader who touched the lives of countless students and staff members.”
Local police also shared condolences, calling the event a tragedy that has deeply shaken the community.

Classes at Lincoln Middle School are expected to resume on Thursday, with grief counselors available to support students and staff.