2 Adults Dead In Shooting At Garfield Ridge Elementary School, Gun Found At Scene: Police

A 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were both found inside Mark Twain Elementary School with gunshot wounds to the head, CPD said.

By Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff

Aug 10, 2026 11:55 PM CDT

A 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were both found inside Mark Twain Elementary School with gunshot wounds to the head, CPD said. (Lorraine Swanson | Patch)

CHICAGO—Two people are dead Monday afternoon in an apparent shooting at a CPS elementary school in Garfield Ridge on the city's Southwest Side.

Around 3:40 p.m., Chicago police said two adults were found unresponsive inside Mark Twain Elementary School in the 5100 block of South Lotus Avenue. A 48-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man both suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. A gun was recovered at the scene, police said.

They were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition, where both were pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m. and 4:36 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

News reports said both adults were said to be custodians for the elementary school. Trumaine Reeves, executive vice president for SEIU Local 73, confirmed that the union represented the school's custodians.

"The only facts we know right now are that two families have lost a loved one, and our prayers are with their families, and the staff, students and families at Mark Twain Elementary School," Reeves said.

No students were in the building at the time of the shooting. CPS students return to school on Aug. 24.

Mark Twain Elementary School principal Matthew Moline addressed the shooting to the parents and guardians in a letter obtained by WGN News:

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. We immediately contacted the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the CPS Office of Safety and Security for support. No students were present in the school building during the time of the incident. For privacy reasons and due to the active investigation, I cannot share additional details at this time.

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.

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."