Beloved California teacher shot to death in front of 5-year-old son 'for no reason'
A California teacher just days into her first classroom job was shot to death in front of her boyfriend and 5-year-old son. Now friends and family want to know: Why?
Nancy Magaña, 24, was sitting in a truck with her boyfriend and son at a San Bernardino park when she was shot early Saturday morning. Officers responding to reports of a shooting around 2 a.m. found Magaña wounded, the San Bernardino Police Department told the Los Angeles Times. Paramedics rushed Magaña to the hospital, where she died, police said.
In an interview with the San Bernardino Sun, Maria Magaña, Nancy’s sister, said investigators told her a shooter had walked up to the truck and fired.
“It’s just that somebody walked up to her car and shot her for no reason,” Magaña told the Sun.
Post by nancy.magana3.
Nancy Magaña had visited a Dave & Buster's restaurant Friday night with her boyfriend and son before going to the park, Maria Magaña told local news outlets. The boyfriend and son were not injured in the shooting, Magaña said.
Police on Tuesday were searching for the gunman. They did not immediately have a description of the shooter.
Magaña had just finished her second week of teaching seventh-grade math and coaching volleyball at Del Vallejo Middle School. An athlete, Magaña had played on the soccer team at San Bernardino Valley College. She refereed local soccer games and worked odd jobs to pay her way through school while raising her son, according to the San Bernardino Sun. She graduated this past spring.
Friends and family described Magaña as a passionate teacher and dedicated mother.
“She was her son’s superhero. He thought that nothing could ever hurt her,” Maria Magaña told the Sun. “To him, she was the fastest and strongest, and everyone else came second … He always said my mom is the No. 1 love of his life."
Del Vallejo Vice Principal Jackie Maner told USA TODAY that Magaña left a lasting impression on the students and staff from the moment she walked on campus.
"It was during teacher’s first day back that the Del Vallejo family realized that we had found a jewel that was dedicated to the success of our students. While we were blessed to have Nancy grace the halls of Del Vallejo for a brief moment in time, the impression she made on our lives will be felt for years to come," Maner said.
Magaña's death was met with an outpouring of grief on social media.
“Nancy will be remembered as a very kind & dedicated new teacher,” the San Bernardino School District said in a tweet.
Our sincere condolences to the Del Vallejo Leadership & STEAM Academy staff, students, & family of math teacher Nancy Magaña. Nancy will be remembered as a very kind & dedicated new teacher who was a product of the SBCUSD school system & an AVHS alum....https://t.co/eAKwHTSoL1 pic.twitter.com/MF1mGRii0o
— SBCUSD (@SB_CitySchools) August 19, 2019
Dozens attended a candlelight vigil for Magaña on Sunday.
Hugs & tears as dozens gather to remember 24yr old Nancy Magana. The young Mother & new teacher was gunned down while sitting in a truck. Her 5yr old son in the backseat. Hear from her heartbroken friends & family at 11pm @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/5YpKxFps63
— Leanne Suter (@abc7leanne) August 19, 2019
To provide emotional support to staff and students, the San Bernardino City Unified School District sent its Crisis Intervention Team to Del Vallejo Middle School on Monday, Communications Officer Maria Garcia told USA TODAY.
"We will continue providing support to the school staff and students for as long as it is needed," Garcia said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nancy Magana: San Bernardino teacher shot at Delmann Heights Park
