Berwyn, Illinois — A tragic incident unfolded at Lincoln Middle School on Tuesday, leaving the school community reeling. Authorities reported that a gunman, identified as Steven T. Lee, fatally shot the school’s assistant principal, Nerissa Lee, before taking his own life outside the school grounds.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed that 54-year-old Steven T. Lee died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ruling his death a suicide. Nerissa Lee, along with another unidentified female victim, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, with their deaths classified as homicides following autopsies conducted on Wednesday.
Nerissa Lee had been serving as an assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School, and news of her death hit hard among students, staff, and parents. Michelle Smith, the superintendent of Berwyn North School District 98, expressed deep sorrow in a message to the school community. “It is with great sadness that I announce the loss of Assistant Principal Nerissa Lee in this tragic shooting that occurred outside our school,” Smith stated.
Family members of the victims have begun to speak out, with Nerissa Lee’s sister expressing profound grief and shock. “This is all too much for me,” she told reporters, highlighting the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on the family.
The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Tuesday when police responded to reports of gunfire in the 6400 block of 16th Street. Authorities found Steven Lee firing a rifle from a vehicle into another car before he turned the gun on himself. During the incident, he reportedly shot at responding officers, who were forced to take cover but did not return fire.
As the community grapples with this devastating event, Lincoln Middle School announced plans to resume classes on Thursday, providing access to counselors for students and staff feeling the impact of the tragedy.
Fortunately, no students were harmed during the shooting, and investigators believe the incident was isolated, assuaging concerns about ongoing threats to school safety. As support systems are set in place for the grieving community, educators and parents alike are left to reflect on the profound loss of a beloved school leader.