In a tragic incident unfolded on Monday in Chicago, two custodians were discovered dead at an elementary school, with authorities indicating a murder-suicide scenario. Reports suggest one custodian allegedly shot the other before turning the gun on himself.
Chicago Police reported that the bodies of a 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were found unresponsive inside Mark Twain Elementary School shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Authorities confirmed both individuals suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. Despite being rushed to nearby hospitals, they were pronounced dead upon arrival.
The scene outside Mark Twain Elementary School, captured by Google Maps, marks the somber location where the custodians were shot on Monday, according to police statements. (Google Maps)
Law enforcement noted the recovery of an unspecified weapon at the tragic scene.
School principal Matthew Moline confirmed the deaths in a letter to parents, WTTW-TV reported. He said shots were fired inside the building at a time when no students were present.
“I am sorry to share that members of our school community were impacted,” he wrote.
SEIU Local 73, the union that represents Chicago Public Schools custodial employees, confirmed both unidentified victims worked at the elementary school.
A custodian shines the walls at a local high school. (MediaNews Group via Getty Images)
“The only facts we know right now are that two families have lost a loved one and our prayers are with their families, and the staff, students, and families at Mark Twain Elementary School,” SEIU Local 73 Executive Vice President Trumaine Reeves said in a statement.
The older custodian was upset that he was slated to be transferred from the school, the Chicago Sun-Times reported, citing a police report. He allegedly shot his co-worker before shooting himself, according to the newspaper.
“We know that this news will be deeply concerning to our families and staff,” Moline wrote in his letter. “We will work to provide additional information to the school community as the investigation proceeds.”
Chicago cops at a crime scene (Getty Images)
News Media has reached out to the police department, Chicago Public Schools, and Moline, the school principal.