The Moses Montefiore Academy shooting occurred on September 22, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois, when Clemmie Henderson, a 40-year-old man, carried out a shooting spree that began at a nearby auto parts store and ended inside a special-education school.[1] Henderson fatally shot five people, including a police officer, a school custodian, and two auto shop employees, before being shot and killed by a wounded officer during a gunfire exchange inside the school.[2]
Moses Montefiore Academy was a special-education school within the Chicago Public Schools system, located on the city’s Near West Side.[1] At the time, the school served students with severe emotional and behavioral disorders and employed a small number of staff and security officers.[1] The surrounding neighborhood was largely industrial, and Comet Auto Parts, a local auto shop, was situated directly across from the school.[2]
The perpetrator, Clemmie Henderson, had a history of behavioral and legal issues.[2] Reports at the time indicated that he had been arrested in the past for battery and that acquaintances had noted signs of emotional instability.[1] Henderson was a Vietnam War veteran, though details surrounding his military service and its potential influence on the events remain unknown.[1] According to law enforcement, there was no clear connection between Henderson and the school or the individuals he targeted.[2]
Shooting
The incident began around 10:00 a.m. on September 22, 1988, when Henderson entered Comet Auto Parts and opened fire, fatally shooting two employees, John Van Dyke and Robert Quinn.[2] He also wounded a sanitation worker, Laplose Chestnut Jr.[1] After leaving the auto parts store, Henderson crossed the street and approached Moses Montefiore Academy.[1]
Upon arriving at the school, Henderson encountered Arthur Baker, a custodian who was outside unloading trash. Henderson shot and killed Baker before entering the school building, where he encountered two uniformed Chicago police officers assigned to the school for security: Irma Ruiz, a 27-year-old officer, and her partner, Gregory Jaglowski.[3] As Henderson entered the school hallway, he opened fire on the officers. Ruiz was shot and killed at the scene, and Jaglowski sustained serious injuries after being struck multiple times.[3] Despite his wounds, Jaglowski returned fire and, along with additional responding officers, fatally shot Henderson.[2]
In total, five people were killed during the attack: two auto shop employees, the school custodian, Officer Irma Ruiz, and Henderson himself.[1] Two additional individuals, including Officer Jaglowski and the sanitation worker, were wounded.[2] No students were physically injured in the shooting, although several were present during the incident and required counseling in its aftermath.[1]
Aftermath
The shooting drew national attention due to the setting—a special-needs school—and the deaths of law enforcement officers on duty.[3] Officer Irma Ruiz was recognized posthumously for her actions and became the first Latina officer in Chicago to be killed in the line of duty.[3] Officer Jaglowski recovered from his injuries and was later honored for his role in stopping the attacker.[1]
Authorities determined that Henderson had used a revolver in the attack.[2] Investigations revealed no definitive motive, although some reports suggested he may have been experiencing a psychological crisis.[1] At the time, there was limited formal discussion in the public discourse about mental health as it related to acts of mass violence, but the incident did raise questions about how individuals with clear warning signs could gain access to firearms.[1]
Following the shooting, security measures were reviewed at several schools within the Chicago Public Schools system.[1] The attack also highlighted broader concerns about violence in and around educational institutions, particularly in urban areas.[1] Several editorials and community leaders called for increased funding for school security and mental health intervention programs.[1]
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