A tragic incident unfolded outside a suburban Chicago middle school when an assistant principal and her mother were fatally shot by her husband, who subsequently took his own life. The victims, 46-year-old Nerissa Lee and her 76-year-old mother, were in a car outside Lincoln Middle School in Berwyn when the incident occurred on Tuesday.
The assailant, identified as Steven T. Lee, approached the victims’ car and opened fire with a rifle. After the fatal attack on his wife and mother-in-law, Lee reportedly fired at police officers responding to the scene before turning the gun on himself.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing nearly two dozen gunshots. One local resident, Maria Meriz, recounted the chaotic scene, describing the loud gunfire and subsequent police presence.
The aftermath of the incident was marked by a gruesome scene, with blood visible on the sidewalk next to the two vehicles involved, cordoned off by crime scene tape.
According to Nerissa Lee’s sister, Shana Everage, the tragic event was not entirely unexpected. She revealed that the couple’s relationship had been strained since late June, culminating in the tragic events of Tuesday. Everage expressed her shock and grief over the incident, struggling to process the horrific event.
The shocking murder-suicide has left the community of Berwyn reeling. The town, which was ranked as the 33rd safest mid-size city in America last year by national security review platform Safewise, is now grappling with the loss of a beloved educator.
Nerissa Lee was remembered fondly by her former students. One student, 16-year-old Hailey Bedoy, praised Lee’s unique personality and dedication to her students. Another student, Hannah Zuniga, recalled bonding with Lee over shared musical interests and appreciated her willingness to provide support during difficult times.
Following the incident, the school district announced that classes would resume on Thursday with counselors available on-site. In a statement, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Smith mourned the loss of Nerissa Lee, describing her as a dedicated educator and leader whose impact was deeply felt within the school community and throughout Berwyn.