Florida high school math teacher Maria Cruz de la Cruz is shot and killed by her husband during murder-suicide while another male victim is in critical condition
- Maria Cruz de la Cruz, 51, was a teacher at Doral Academy K-8 Charter School and had two daughters
- Neighbors said the couple had recently moved into a home in Palmetto Estates
- The school has started a GoFundMe page to support both of Maria’s children
A Florida math teacher was killed in a murder-suicide by her husband, who also shot an acquaintance of the family before turning the gun on himself.
Maria Cruz de la Cruz, 51, a high school teacher at Doral Academy K-8 Charter School and mother of two, was shot by her husband. He then shot another man in the room before shooting himself in the head.
The husband’s name has not been released by police.
Police found three injured people in a room of a house in Palmetto Estates, Miami. A fourth person, a woman, was present in the home, but was not injured.
Maria Cruz de la Cruz, 51, was shot by her husband. He then shot another man in the room before shooting himself in the head
Maria and the male victim were rushed to Jackson South Medical Center, where she died due to injuries, while the other victim was in critical condition.
A vigil was held by the people in the 9900 block of the Southwest 165th Terrace neighborhood in honor of Mary.
A woman who lives a few doors away from where the murder-suicide took place told NBC6: ‘You don’t know what the neighbors are capable of, it could have happened outside and someone innocent could have been hurt.
“I just hope something like this never happens again.”
The woman also said the couple were new to the area. A local resident said he heard the gunshots coming from his home and called 911.
Police found three injured people in a room of a house in Palmetto Estates, Miami. A fourth woman was also in the home, but she was not injured.
Neighbor Raidel Munoz said: “I saw some ambulances go by, firefighters, a helicopter and then I came out to see what was going on.”
Another neighbor, Raidel Munoz, said: ‘I saw some ambulances pass by, firefighters and a helicopter, and then I came out to see what was going on.
‘Very worrying, I never expected something like this so close to my house.’
The Academy has started a GoFundMe page to support both of Maria’s daughters. She taught algebra, geometry and Spanish at the school.
The page read, “Please join our school community as we mourn the tragic loss of Ms. Maria Cruz, a beloved teacher who demonstrated unwavering love and dedication to our Doral Academy and Just Arts and Management students for nearly a decade.” ‘
Maria was a high school teacher at Doral Academy K-8 Charter School. She taught algebra, geometry and Spanish
As of now, the page has raised nearly $33,000 for her children. The target amount is set at $100,000.
Doral Academy Director Eleonora Cuesta said, “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the loss of our dear Mrs. Maria Cruz.
“May the memory of our beloved Maria Cruz be a blessing.”
Police are not looking for suspects as this is a murder-suicide case, but are looking for information about a history of domestic violence between the couple.