A devastating event transpired in the vicinity of a middle school in suburban Chicago, resulting in the death of an assistant principal, her mother, and her husband. The incident took place on Tuesday when Nerissa Lee, 46, and her mother, 76, were in a vehicle outside Lincoln Middle School in Berwyn. The assailant, Steven T. Lee, approached the car and began firing with a rifle.
Following the fatal assault on his wife and mother-in-law, Lee reportedly shot at the responding police officers before turning the weapon on himself. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing approximately 20 gunshots. Maria Meriz, a local resident, described the chaotic scene, marked by loud gunfire and a swift police response.
The aftermath of the incident was a grisly sight, with blood visible on the sidewalk next to the two involved vehicles, which were cordoned off by crime scene tape. Shana Everage, Nerissa Lee’s sister, revealed that the couple’s relationship had been strained since late June, leading up to the tragic events of Tuesday. Everage expressed her shock and grief over the incident, struggling to come to terms with the horrific event.
The murder-suicide has left the Berwyn community in shock. The town, which was ranked as the 33rd safest mid-size city in America last year by national security review platform Safewise, is now dealing with the loss of a cherished educator. Nerissa Lee was remembered warmly by her former students. Hailey Bedoy, a 16-year-old student, praised Lee’s unique personality and commitment to her students. Another student, Hannah Zuniga, remembered bonding with Lee over shared musical interests and appreciated her readiness to provide support during challenging times.
In the wake of the incident, the school district announced that classes would resume on Thursday with counselors available on-site. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Smith issued a statement mourning the loss of Nerissa Lee, describing her as a dedicated educator and leader whose influence was deeply felt within the school community and throughout Berwyn.