Two custodians at a Chicago elementary school are dead in what police describe as an apparent murder-suicide, according to multiple reports.
The victims—a 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man—were discovered Monday afternoon inside Mark Twain Elementary School with gunshot wounds to the head. ABC News reported that both were in critical condition when found and were pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.
Chicago’s WLS, citing police communications audio, painted a stark picture of the scene: “In the hallway we have one female… The shooter shot himself in the head… there is a firearm right next to the offender.”
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the male custodian was “reportedly upset he was being relocated from the school.” Surveillance video from inside the school allegedly captured the incident, showing the man walking up behind the woman and shooting her, then entering the school’s office and shooting himself.
No students were present in the school at the time of the shooting.
The incident has reignited focus on Chicago’s ongoing violent crime problems. Breitbart News noted on August 11, 2026, that a report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association shows that gun-controlled Chicago has had more murders so far this year than all major cities in pro-gun Florida combined.
A Tragic Day at Mark Twain
The shooting at Mark Twain Elementary, a public school on Chicago’s South Side, unfolded during a time when the building was largely empty. The two custodians were the only people inside, according to initial reports. The motive appears to be linked to the man’s impending transfer, though authorities have not officially confirmed a motive.
Police and emergency responders were called to the school in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, they found both individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. The woman was in the hallway; the man was found in the office. A firearm was recovered next to the man, police communications indicated.
The identities of the victims have not been publicly released, pending notification of family.
Chicago’s Violence Continues
The tragedy adds to a grim tally in Chicago, a city often cited for its strict gun control laws yet persistent gun violence. The Major Cities Chiefs Association report, highlighted by Breitbart News, claims that Chicago’s murder count for 2026 so far exceeds the combined total for all major cities in Florida—a state with notably permissive gun laws. The comparison has become a flashpoint in the national debate over gun control versus gun rights.
Local officials and community leaders have expressed shock and sorrow over the deaths, emphasizing the need for mental health support and conflict resolution in the workplace. The school district has announced it will provide counseling for staff and students in the coming days.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/08/12/two-custodians-dead-chicago-elementary-school-apparent-murder-suicide/