Beloved Philadelphia teacher killed in murder-suicide

A popular Philadelphia high school teacher was shot and killed by a man who then turned the gun on himself in an apparent suicide attempt.

The Philadelphia Police Department tells PEOPLE that it believes Ondria Glaze, 36, was shot once in the cheek by Richard Harper, 42, who was found dead in a home in the city’s Grays Ferry neighborhood on Monday, May a single gunshot wound to the head 6.

Police did not provide any information about the relationship between Glaze and Harper.

Glaze was a teacher at Olney High School, whose principal, Michael Roth, wrote a letter to the school community after her death.

“At Olney we have a statement: ‘Olney Love.’ “Ms. Glaze could truly be described as ‘Olney Love,'” Roth wrote in his letter. “She embodied this mantra and blessed every student and staff member she met.”

The school started a GoFundMe to raise money for a scholarship in Glaze’s name.

“This scholarship will be awarded each year to one graduating senior to help them achieve their dreams and continue the positive influence Ms. Glaze has had on all of us,” the GoFundMe description reads. “The funds collected will flow into a foundation that will ensure that this scholarship can continue to be awarded in the coming years.”

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So far, the GoFundMe has raised over $18,000. The description also notes that Glaze had been at the school for over a decade.

“MS. Glaze was “the brightest light,” according to a colleague who described Ms. Glaze by saying, “She made everyone feel like she was their favorite person in the world,” said Jerry T. Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers , in a statement. “This is an incredibly tragic loss for the entire Olney High School community and for all of Ms. Glaze’s loved ones.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org .