A beloved charter school math teacher was killed in a murder-suicide in Florida, police said.
Maria Cruz de la Cruz, a 51-year-old elementary school teacher and mother, was found shot inside a home in Palmetto Estates south of Miami around 4:20 p.m. Friday, Detective Angel Rodriguez of the Miami-Dade Police Department told The Post in a statement.
A second, unnamed male victim was also shot by the gunman, who eventually killed himself, Rodriguez said. Police refused to give the man’s condition.
Another woman was in the home, but she was not injured, authorities said.
Cruz and the injured male victim were taken to Jackson South Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, Rodriguez said.
The shooter – who has not been publicly named – was found dead at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The gun was on the ground next to him, Rodriguez added.
“Detectives have determined this is a murder/suicide,” Rodriguez said.
Maria Cruz de la Cruz, 51, killed in murder-suicide in south Miami.jam.doralacademy.org
Cameras at the scene showed the survivor and another woman talking to officers after the crime, WSVN reported.
Cruz is a math teacher at Doral Academy K-8 Charter, according to a GoFundMe set up in his memory.
At the time of his death, Cruz had worked at the school for nearly 10 years, the fundraising page stated.
“It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the loss of our beloved Ms. Maria Cruz,” Principal Eleanora Cuesta said in a statement to NBC6.
A neighbor called 911 after hearing gunshots.NBC6
“His warmth, commitment and love for his students has left an unforgettable impression on all of us. In this difficult time, our sincere thoughts and prayers are with her daughter.
“May the memory of our beloved Maria Cruz be a blessing.”
As of Sunday morning, a GoFundMe for the Cruz family had raised more than $22,000 of its $100,000 goal.
Neighbors in Palmetto Estates said the occupants of the home where the shooting occurred were new to the area.
Cruz is a “valued” math teacher at Doral Academy K-8 Charter. Google Maps
A local resident told NBC6 that he heard gunshots from his home and called 911.
“We don’t know what to expect because [the police] got out of their cars with their guns drawn,” said a neighbor, a woman who lives just a few doors down from the scene, to the store.
“We are a bit nervous and scared not knowing who really lives in our neighborhood.
“You don’t know what the neighbors are capable of, it can happen outside and someone can be injured innocently,” he said. “I just hope nothing like this happens again.”
Another woman in the home was not injured, police said.NBC6
Another neighbor, Raidel Munoz, said authorities had cordoned off the street for some time.
“This restricted area is quite surprising, to say the least,” he said.
“Noticing a bunch of ambulances coming, firemen, helicopters, then I went out to see what was going on. Quite worrying. I never expected something like this to be so close to my home,” added Munoz.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free, confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
