Suburban Chicago Community Shattered as Assistant Principal and Mother Gunned Down Outside School

An assistant principal. A devoted daughter. A beloved educator.
All titles that belonged to 46-year-old Nerissa Lee—until her life was cut short in a brutal act of domestic violence that unfolded outside Lincoln Middle School in suburban Chicago.

On Tuesday afternoon, as students were still leaving the campus, Lee and her 76-year-old mother were gunned down in their car. Authorities say the shooter was Lee’s estranged husband, who ambushed them with a rifle before turning his weapon on responding officers—and finally, on himself.

The Attack

Investigators said the shooting erupted shortly after the school day ended. Witnesses reported hearing more than 20 shots, sending students, staff, and bystanders running for cover in panic.

Lee and her mother were struck multiple times and died at the scene. Police officers quickly arrived, and the gunman opened fire on them as well. No officers were injured. Moments later, the suspect fatally shot himself.

Authorities confirmed that this was not a random act of violence, but the culmination of a long, troubled marriage. Lee’s sister said the couple had been struggling for months, describing the day of the shooting as the “boiling point.”

Remembering Nerissa Lee

For colleagues, students, and families at Lincoln Middle School, the loss of Assistant Principal Lee is immeasurable. She was remembered as a tireless advocate for children, a woman who showed up every day with energy, compassion, and determination to make a difference in young lives.

“She had a gift,” one teacher said. “She believed in her students, even when they didn’t believe in themselves. That’s who she was—an educator, a mentor, a friend.”

Parents recalled her as approachable and caring, someone who worked tirelessly to create a safe and supportive school environment. For many, her death feels personal.

“She wasn’t just an administrator,” one parent said. “She was family to this community.”

A Mother’s Love

Equally devastating is the loss of Lee’s 76-year-old mother, who family members say was deeply devoted to her daughter and grandchildren. Neighbors described her as kind, gentle, and always supportive.

“To know that she was taken in such a cruel way, right beside her daughter, is just unbearable,” a family friend shared.

A Crisis of Domestic Violence

The double murder-suicide has reignited urgent conversations about domestic violence, a pervasive issue that often escalates to deadly outcomes. Experts note that separation from an abusive partner is one of the most dangerous periods for victims.

“This is exactly the kind of scenario we fear most,” a local advocate said. “When relationships break down and violence has been present, the risk of homicide increases dramatically.”

In Illinois alone, dozens of women are killed each year in domestic-related homicides. Advocates are renewing calls for stronger protections, better enforcement of restraining orders, and expanded access to support services for victims.

Community in Mourning

Outside Lincoln Middle School, a growing memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now honors the lives of Nerissa Lee and her mother. Vigils are being planned, and grief counselors have been made available for students and staff shaken by the tragedy.

School officials released a statement describing Lee as a “bright light” whose dedication to her students will never be forgotten. “Her leadership, compassion, and love of learning left a permanent mark on our school,” the statement read.

Searching for Healing

As the community struggles to process the senseless violence, many are left asking how such a tragedy could have happened in broad daylight, at a school meant to be a safe haven.

For Lee’s family, friends, and colleagues, the focus now is on remembering her not for the way she died, but for the way she lived: with purpose, passion, and unwavering love for her students and family.

“She was more than an assistant principal,” one colleague said through tears. “She was a role model. She was a hero. And we’ll never forget her.”