CPS Employee Fatally Shot Outside Elementary School
(CBS) -- A Chicago Public Schools employee was shot to death Thursday afternoon outside an elementary school in the West Side Austin neighborhood.
Denzel D. Thornton, 25, was getting into a parked vehicle about 12:30 p.m. in the 4800 block of West Walton when someone walked up and shot him in the head, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner's office. The shooter then ran to a black car nearby and drove away.
The shooting occurred in front of Ronald McNair Elementary School, located at 4820 W. Walton St. Thornton worked as a compliance specialist for CPS Nutrition Services for the past 10 months, and was making his regular rounds at the time, according to a statement from CPS CEO Forrest Claypool.
Thornton, of the 800 block of West Buena, was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:38 p.m., the medical examiner's office said.
McNair's families received an automated call shortly after the shooting. The school's 8th grade student graduation was scheduled for later Thursday afternoon and took place as planned.
"On behalf of all of Chicago Public Schools, we were devastated to learn today about the tragic death of one of our employees," Claypool said in the statement. "Denzel Thornton was a member of our Nutrition Services team, and like many CPS employees, he worked hard every day to serve our children. Even in challenging circumstances, CPS employees are extraordinarily dedicated to the students we serve, and I have the deepest respect for their commitment and hard work. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Denzel Thornton, and we will all keep them in our thoughts and prayers."
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire copy; Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
