Two school custodians were fatally shot inside a Chicago elementary school Monday afternoon, raising serious questions about security protocols even as classes remain weeks away from starting.

The Incident at Mark Twain Elementary

Chicago police responded to Mark Twain Elementary School in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood around 3:40 p.m. Monday, discovering two unresponsive individuals inside the building at 5134 S. Lotus Avenue. A 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man, both custodial staff members, had each sustained a single gunshot wound to the head. Emergency responders transported both victims to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where doctors pronounced them dead. Authorities recovered a weapon at the scene.

The school, located near Midway International Airport, was empty of students at the time. Chicago Public Schools will not resume classes for approximately two weeks. A witness passing by on a bicycle reported seeing first responders attempting to resuscitate victims on stretchers, while another person at the scene described hearing a woman screaming.

Community Response and Safety Concerns

The school principal notified families through a letter confirming that shots were fired inside the building and that members of the school community were affected. Parents gathered at the school following news of the shooting, expressing alarm about sending their children back to the building. One mother, Felicia Puga, stated she is now reconsidering enrollment for her daughter Luna, who is set to begin second grade when school opens on August 24.

Puga attended the school’s open house just days before the shooting. She is now exploring options to transfer her daughter to a nearby school, though her family does not reside within that district’s boundaries. The shooting has left parents questioning whether adequate safety measures exist to protect students and staff once classes resume.

Investigation Continues

Area 1 detectives are leading the investigation into the double homicide. As of Monday evening, authorities had not released the identities of the victims or disclosed potential motives for the shooting. Chicago Public Schools officials promised to provide additional information to parents as the investigation progresses. The incident marks another violent episode in Chicago, where school safety remains a persistent concern for families and educators alike. The shooting occurred in a location meant to serve as a safe environment for children and staff, underscoring broader challenges facing urban school districts nationwide.