Murder-Suicide Victim Worked Across the Street at Grace Church School

The victim of an attempted murder-suicide across from Grace Church School has been confirmed dead, the police say. In a message to the Grace community, the head of the private school identified the victim as an administrative assistant there.

Police said that around 7:55am today, a 62-year-old man shot a 56-year-old woman in the torso near Cooper Square and Astor Place, then shot himself in the head. The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition and his victim was taken to Lennox Hill Healthplex where she was pronounced dead. A police spokesperson told Patch that it appeared to be a case of domestic violence. DNAinfo described the victim as the man’s girlfriend.

The police have not yet released the identity of either individual, but a message from George P. Davison, head of Grace Church School, identified the victim as Elizabeth Lee, whose daughter graduated from the school last year. Lee served as an administrative assistant at the school, the president of its parents association, and was described as “a dearly loved member of our community for 17 years. She was a devoted mother and a friend to many.”

The message noted that some students outside of the high school at the time of the shooting may have witnessed it. “For all of us, there will be painful days ahead of grieving,” it read. “The school’s counseling staff will be available for students, and we are in the process of organizing additional counselors to be available for students and adults on both campuses beginning tomorrow.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.