Assistant principal Nerissa Lee and her mother killed in murder-suicide outside Berwyn middle school
Husband opened fire on the victims and on responding officers before killing himself, authorities say; Berwyn community shaken
An assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School in Berwyn, Illinois, Nerissa Lee, 46, and her 76-year-old mother were killed Tuesday outside the campus by Lee's husband, Steven T. Lee, who then shot himself after firing at responding officers.
Authorities said the killings occurred as the school day ended, with the victims sitting in a car outside the school when the husband pulled up and opened fire with a rifle. A witness described hearing nearly two dozen gunshots. Maria Meriz, who lives near the school, told NBC 5 it sounded like about 20 shots and that police arrived within moments.
Police said Steven T. Lee turned his gun on responding officers before shooting himself, authorities said. The Berwyn Police Department and the Lincoln School District issued statements expressing sorrow and honoring Nerissa Lee's service. The district described her as a dedicated educator and leader who touched the lives of countless students and staff members.
Lee's sister, Shana Everage, told NBC 5 that the couple's relationship had deteriorated in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's tragedy, with the tail end of June marking a turning point and Tuesday representing the boiling point.
Berwyn, a suburb west of Chicago, has been the subject of safety rankings in recent years; last year, Safewise ranked Berwyn as the 33rd safest mid-size city in America. District officials said Nerissa Lee's loss will be deeply felt not only in Lincoln Middle School but across the Berwyn community.
Investigators continued to gather details, including reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses, as they work to reconstruct the sequence of events. Authorities said there is no indication of additional suspects and no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation is being led by the Berwyn Police Department, with cooperation from state authorities.
The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about school safety and mental health responses for families, educators, and students affected by violent incidents. District officials said additional support services would be available in the days ahead for students and staff processing the loss.