FOREST HILL, Texas — A North Texas cafeteria worker has been shot and killed in the back parking lot of the school she worked for, Forest Hill Police confirmed.
Fort Worth ISD officials have confirmed that a staff member from David K. Sellars Elementary School has died due to a shooting that happened in the back parking lot on Wednesday morning. Investigators are still looking for the suspect involved in the shooting, but say they have located the suspect's vehicle.
A teacher from the school told WFAA that this staff member was a lunch lady for David K. Sellars Elementary School. Fort Worth ISD has not yet confirmed this.
According to the Forest Hill Police Department, at about 6:50 a.m., officers responded to the shooting call and found the victim lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. They immediately began life-saving measures and when both the fire department and MedStar arrived, the victim was transported to a local hospital. She later died from her injuries.
Police said the victim is not being identified until formal identification from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office and "out of respect for family privacy."
Investigators said prior to the shooting, the victim was talking to someone inside another car in the parking lot after she arrived to work. Investigators said they believe the victim knew the suspect. Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in a silver-colored Chevy Impala, which was later found abandoned in Fort Worth, police said.
On Friday, Oct. 13, the department said a person of interest in Gibbs' murder was found dead. That person's name has not been released to the public. Police said the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office will determine a cause of death.
Investigators are currently processing evidence and working to positively identify the suspect. Police said anyone with information concerning this case should call the department at 817-531-5250 or call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS or www.469tips.com. Reference case number 23FPD13544.
Fort Worth ISD said that there "is no ongoing threat or danger to our school community." Emergency personnel are working with the district's safety and security team as well as the Forest Hill Police Department.
The school initially held students in the auditorium until the Forest Hill police released the rest of the building. Around 12:40 p.m., the district said the school was back to being fully open after it was determined that the suspect was no longer in the area.
"Our hearts go out to their family during this incredibly difficult time," Fort Worth ISD said in a released statement. "The staff member was dedicated to serving their campus and had a profound impact on students and the staff."
Additional counseling staff will be available for the campus, according to the district.
School families received the following letter Wednesday morning:
Dear David K. Sellars Families:
Safety is the top priority on our campus, and it is our commitment to communicate with you when a situation impacting our students and staff takes place at our school.
Our hearts are heavy, as we learned of an incident that took place in the back parking lot of the campus this morning that led to a staff member passing away. This staff member was a valued team member who proudly served the campus and cared deeply for our students. We extend our love and sympathy to their family during this time.
This is an emotional time for us all, and experiencing a loss is always difficult to understand for students and staff. Additional counseling staff will be available for our campus to support the needs of our school community.
Emergency personnel may be on site, but there is no threat or danger to our school community. We will hold students in the auditorium this morning until the police department releases the rest of the building. We always collaborate with our safety and security team and the local police department to ensure the safety of our campus.
Thank you for your continued support of David K. Sellars. If you or your student need additional help, please do not hesitate to contact the main office.
Once again, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our entire school community.