Shooting at Mark Twain Elementary School Leaves Two Dead

A man and a woman were critically injured in a shooting at Mark Twain Elementary School on the Southwest Side of the city. The incident occurred at 5134 S. Lotus Ave. in Garfield Ridge around 3:40 p.m., according to police information. Chicago Public Schools officials have not yet commented.

Trumaine Reeves, executive vice president of SEIU Local 73, informed the Tribune that both victims were custodians. It is uncertain if they were union members. Local 73 represents 13,000 support staff within CPS. Reeves expressed condolences, saying, “There are at least two families impacted by this tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to them. Our thoughts are with their family members and the school community. It’s devastating.”

Chicago Lawn district police discovered a 48-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the head and a 63-year-old man with an “apparently self-inflicted” gunshot wound to the head. A gun was recovered at the scene. Both victims were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition. They were pronounced dead later on Monday.

At least 10 squad cars were parked outside the elementary school. Police tape secured the area. Nearby residents observed the police activity from their homes. Kelly Carrillo, a resident, noticed traffic building and later saw ambulances and fire trucks. Carrillo and her husband saw SWAT arrive and a victim being taken out on a stretcher. “School starts in like two weeks,” Carrillo said. “I don’t know if they’re even gonna open the school up.”

She mentioned that her neighborhood is usually quiet, so the situation was unsettling. “What made me more nervous,” Carrillo added, “is like, why are they bringing guns to the school?” The investigation is ongoing, led by Wentworth Area detectives.