Veteran custodian upset over job relocation, sparking apparent murder-suicide in Mark Twain school: report

A 20-year-veteran custodian who allegedly fatally shot a co-worker before turning the gun on himself in an apparent murder-suicide inside Mark Twain Elementary School in Garfield Ridge Monday was reportedly upset he was being relocated from the school, according to a Chicago police report.

Video from inside the school in the 5100 block of South Lotus Avenue shows a 48-year-old female custodian walking down a hallway past the shooter, a 63-year-old man who was also a custodian, around 3:40 p.m. Monday when he walked behind her and shot her in the head from close range, according to police reports obtained by the Sun-Times.

The older custodian, who had been at work for one hour, then went to the school's office and shot himself in the head, according to a police report, which said the 20-year veteran custodian was upset because he was going to be 'relocated' from the school.

According to police radio transmissions, a dispatcher said the shooting stemmed from a disagreement between two custodians.

Both of the gunshot victims were custodians, according to Eric Bailey, spokesperson for SEIU Local 73, which represents custodians at Chicago Public Schools.

No students were at the school, as classes don't begin there until Aug. 24.

Trumaine Reeves, executive vice president of SEIU Local 73, said in an emailed statement that 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."

Chicago Public Schools did not immediately answer a request for comment but the school released a statement.

“Dear Twain Community, it is with deep sadness that I inform you that this afternoon, shots were fired inside our school building. I am sorry to share that members of our school community were impacted," the school statement said.

"We know that this news will be deeply concerning to our families and staff. We will work to provide additional information to the school community as the investigation proceeds," the statement said. "Please know that we are taking this situation very seriously to ensure the safety of our school community. We thank you for your continued partnership.”

A neighbor who lives across from the school told the Sun-Times she saw first responders remove the bodies of a man, then a woman, from inside the school. The emergency response initially included four fire trucks and four ambulances, according to the woman, who asked not to share her name.

Several police officers and detectives could be seen in and outside the school Monday evening.

Additional information was not immediately released.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Chicago Sun-Times. Open at source →