Tragedy in Chicago: Assistant Principal and Her Mother Shot Dead by Husband Outside Middle School

A community in suburban Chicago is reeling after an assistant principal and her mother were fatally shot outside a school in what authorities are calling a domestic-related incident.

On Tuesday afternoon, 46-year-old Nerissa Lee and her 76-year-old mother were sitting in a parked car outside Lincoln Middle School in Berwyn when Lee’s husband, 56-year-old Steven T. Lee, pulled up with a rifle and opened fire.

Witnesses reported hearing a barrage of gunshots, with some describing the scene as chaotic and terrifying. “It was really like 20 times … very noisy,” said neighbor Maria Meriz, who lives near the school.

According to police, Steven Lee fled the scene and exchanged gunfire with officers a short distance away before turning the weapon on himself. He was later pronounced dead.

Family members revealed that the couple had been experiencing marital problems for months. Lee’s sister, Shana Everage, said tensions had been escalating since June. “Tuesday was the boiling point,” she explained.

Authorities believe the attack was targeted and stemmed from those ongoing personal conflicts.

The shocking act of violence has left students, staff, and residents struggling to process the loss. Lincoln Middle School, where Nerissa Lee served as an assistant principal, immediately went on lockdown as police responded to the scene.

In a statement, Berwyn South School District 100 confirmed her death, calling Lee “a dedicated educator and leader who touched the lives of countless students and staff members.”

Grief counselors have been made available to both students and teachers as the district works to support the school community.

Colleagues remembered Lee as a passionate administrator who went above and beyond for her students. Parents described her as approachable, kind, and deeply invested in ensuring children succeeded academically and personally.

“She didn’t just run the school,” one parent told reporters. “She cared about the kids like they were her own.”

The double murder has reignited concerns about domestic violence and gun crime in the Chicago area. Advocates say it underscores the urgent need for stronger intervention and support systems for families in crisis.

For now, the Berwyn community is focused on honoring the memory of both women and finding ways to heal.