Illinois Assistant Principal and Mother Fatally Shot Outside Middle School in Domestic Violence Attack

Assistant Principal’s Husband Comes to Middle School, Kills Her and Mother Before Turning Gun on Himself

Police in Berwyn, Illinois, confirmed that an assistant principal and her mother were fatally shot outside a middle school Tuesday afternoon by the educator’s husband, who then turned the gun on himself.

The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. on September 16 outside Lincoln Middle School. According to the Berwyn Police Department, officers already in the area witnessed a man open fire with a rifle into a vehicle before firing in their direction and then taking his own life. Authorities emphasized that officers did not return fire.

The victims were identified as 46-year-old Nerissa Lee, assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School, and her mother, whose name has not yet been released by the Cook County Medical Examiner. Both were found in the targeted vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The gunman, identified as Steven Lee, 54, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police said the attack stemmed from a domestic violence situation and stressed that there was no ongoing threat to the community. In a statement, the department described the loss as one that “is felt deeply not only within the school community but throughout Berwyn,” calling Assistant Principal Lee a “dedicated educator and leader who touched the lives of countless students and staff members.”

Lee’s sister, Shana Everage, said the tragedy was preceded by escalating domestic issues since late June. “It didn’t come out of the blue … the boiling point would have been yesterday,” she told reporters, adding that the family is devastated.

During the incident, approximately 100 students were inside the school and placed on lockdown. Seventh-grader Christopher Cruz-Villogoez recalled being frightened as gunfire erupted. “I was scared because of what was happening, and it was very scary, and I didn’t want [my mom] to be a part of the situation either,” he said.

Classes resumed on September 18 with counseling services offered to students and staff. At a memorial service, students remembered Lee for her humor, dedication, and deep commitment to the school community. “She really loved her school, really loved her kids. She was all about what she needed to do,” one student said.