Two people were shot and killed in a domestic violence incident this week in front of an Illinois middle school.
One of the victims was the school’s assistant principal, Nerissa Lee, 46.
“It is with great sadness that I announce to you that Nerissa Lee, Assistant Principal at Lincoln Middle school, lost her life in yesterday’s tragic shooting that occurred outside of Lincoln,” Dr. Michelle Smith, Superintendent of Berwyn North School District 98, said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the killer as her husband, 54-year-old Steven Lee, who was found dead in a vehicle with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Nerissa Lee’s sister told WMAQ that their mother was the other victim in the shooting.
Police said nearby officers heard the gunfire and saw Lee firing a rifle at another vehicle as they approached the scene on Tuesday afternoon, WLS said. He turned the weapon on them as he approached, so they took cover but did not return fire.
A neighbor showed the station security footage in which more than a dozen gunshots could be heard.
“In this difficult time, the Berwyn Police Department stands ready to support Berwyn North School District 98 in any way possible,” police said Wednesday. “We urge community members to come together and offer their support to one another as we navigate this tragedy.”
“As we continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident, we remain committed to ensuring the safety of our community and supporting all affected by this tragedy,” they said.
Lee’s sister, Shana Everage, told WMAQ that the shooting “didn’t come out of the blue.”
“It had started ever since, I want to say the tail end of June,” she said. “And basically, the boiling point would have been [Tuesday].”
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[Featured image: Nerissa Lee/handout]
