Two custodians were found dead Monday afternoon at Mark Twain Elementary School in Chicago following a shooting incident inside the building, authorities confirmed. Police responded to the school around 3:40 p.m. and discovered a 63-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, both custodians, with fatal gunshot wounds to the head.
According to police reports, the male custodian allegedly approached his female colleague from behind in a hallway and shot her at close range. He then proceeded to the school's office, where he died by suicide. Both individuals were transported to local hospitals in critical condition and later pronounced dead.
Investigators believe the incident to be a murder-suicide. Police reports indicate the 63-year-old custodian was reportedly upset about being relocated from the school after two decades of service.
Radio communications obtained by WLS captured an individual stating, "In the hallway we have one female. The shooter shot himself in the head. There is a firearm right next to the offender."
Mark Twain Elementary School confirmed the gunfire in a statement to the Sun-Times. "Dear Twain Community, it is with deep sadness that I inform you that this afternoon, shots were fired inside our school building. I am sorry to share that members of our school community were impacted," the statement read. "We know that this news will be deeply concerning to our families and staff. We will work to provide additional information to the school community as the investigation proceeds."
The school also stated, "Please know that we are taking this situation very seriously to ensure the safety of our school community. We thank you for your continued partnership." The incident remains under active investigation.