COLUMBUS, Ohio — A special education instructional assistant with Columbus City Schools was shot and killed early Saturday morning, a spokesperson for the school system confirmed.
According to multiple reports, Columbus police responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the west side’s Hilltop neighborhood around 1:40 a.m. and found Jamika Ann Tashawna Summerville, 25, who was suffering from a gunshot wound.
Summerville was transported to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center downtown, but was pronounced dead a short time later.
Summerville was found just blocks from Highland Elementary. She had worked there for the last five years, according to Columbus City Schools district spokesperson Jacqueline Bryant.
“This morning, we learned of the tragic death of one of our Special Education Instructional Assistants, Jamika Summerville,” Bryant said in a written statement. “A committed and passionate educator, Ms. Summerville has worked with our Highland community for nearly five years. She was a friend to staff, students, and the community and presented a positive impression in the classroom. She was also a proud graduate of Columbus City Schools.”
“On Monday, our District’s CARE Team and Wellness Team will be available to support students and staff experiencing sadness or anxiety at this tragic news and help them understand their emotions better throughout the days ahead. We know young children may sometimes seem unfazed by what has happened or need guidance to process their feelings. We encourage families to talk with their students to gauge their emotions.”
