A shooting occurred at Mark Twain Elementary School on Chicago’s Southwest Side, resulting in the deaths of a man and a woman. The event took place at 5134 S. Lotus Ave. in Garfield Ridge around 3:40 p.m. on Monday, as reported by both a preliminary police notification and a police department statement.
According to Trumaine Reeves, executive vice president of SEIU Local 73, the victims were custodians at the school, though their union membership remains uncertain. Local 73 represents 13,000 support staff within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Reeves expressed condolences, noting, “There are at least two families impacted by this tragedy and our hearts and prayers go out to them. Our thoughts go out to those family members and the school community. It’s just devastating.”
Police from the Chicago Lawn (8th) district discovered a 48-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the head and a 63-year-old man with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A weapon was found at the scene. Both individuals were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition but were pronounced dead later in the afternoon.
Law enforcement presence was significant, with at least 10 squad cars outside the school. Police tape restricted access to the school grounds, with local residents observing the activity. Kelly Carrillo, a resident living across the street from the school, described the unexpected scene. She noted the arrival of ambulances and fire trucks, followed by SWAT. “School starts in like two weeks,” she remarked, uncertain about the school’s reopening. Carrillo, who has lived in the area for six years, expressed concern over the situation, particularly the presence of firearms at the school.
Wentworth Area detectives are conducting an investigation into the incident.