A community in Westchester County, New York, is reeling after the shocking loss of a beloved teacher. Family and friends are in shock after her husband allegedly shot her, and then shot himself, in an apparent murder-suicide.
Police have provided few details about what caused her husband, who was a former New York City police officer, to shoot and kill her and himself. Their children were in the home during the murder-suicide. As people wait for answers, the wife is being remembered fondly by those who knew her.
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So far, there aren't many details.
According to multiple news outlets, Yonkers police officers responded to a call around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16. When they got to the scene, they found a man, later identified as retired NYPD detective Sean O’Neill, with a single gunshot wound to the head. They also found a woman, identified as Sean’s wife Arlene O’Neill, unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds.
Both of the O’Neills were pronounced dead at the scene.
The couple's children were in the home when the shooting occurred.
The couple’s school-aged children were in the home at the time of the shooting, but were unharmed. Sources told WABC that it was one of the children who called police. Family members are looking after the children.
“It’s just, words just can’t describe what happened. It’s just devastating for the kids, devastating for the family,” neighbor Ed Pagano told CBS News New York.
Police believe they may have a motive.
Both WABC and CBS New York reported that according to sources, the couple had an argument that began in the evening on Tuesday. The argument continued Wednesday morning, allegedly prompting Sean O’Neill to use a handgun to shoot Arlene O’Neill multiple times. He then turned the gun on himself, fatally shooting himself once in the head.
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Arlene O'Neill was a beloved member of the community.
Arlene was a fifth grade teacher at Anne Hutchinson Elementary in Eastchester. In a statement shared by WABC, Ronald D. Valenti, Eastchester Union Free School District superintendent, called her death an “unexpected tragedy.”
“The EUFSD is shocked and saddened by this development, and has mobilized the district crisis team, as well as resources from neighboring districts including Bronxville and Southern Westchester BOCES in order to provide comfort to students, faculty and other staff members as they process this news,” the statement read.
A GoFundMe has been set up for their children.
Someone close to Arlene O’Neill set up a GoFundMe to help provide for her children, 15-year-old Sean, 13-year-old Brendan, and 11-year-old Nolan.
“Arlene exemplified strength, kindness, and resilience. She poured her heart into both her classroom and her home, always putting others before herself,” the fundraiser reads. “Her boys will now face the challenge of growing up without their rock, their advocate, and their best friend.”
The fundraiser has passed $200,000 so far, with the funds going toward their “education, their talents in both music and sports that Arlene worked so hard to encourage and support.”
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
