Grief counsellors are at a Brampton high school Monday to help students and staff cope with the shooting death of their principal, Debra Allen.
Halton Regional Police responded to a report of a woman shot at Allen's home on Hillside Drive near Trafalgar Road in Georgetown, shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
When police arrived at the scene of the apparent domestic dispute, they cordoned the area and attempted to communicate with Allen's 65-year-old husband, Dave.
Officers subsequently heard gunfire, and when they entered the residence they found him and Debra, 52, both dead of gunshot wounds.
Halton police are continuing their investigation of Debra's death, but have turned her husband's case over to Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, explaining in a news release that, "the actions of an individual within the residence necessitated the notification" of the SIU.
In a statement, Peel District School Board Superintendent Jeff DeFreitas said Allen will be remembered as a positive presence at Beatty-Fleming Sr. Public School.
"She worked tirelessly with students and their parents to help them achieve their potential and turn mistakes into positive learning situations," DeFreitas said.
Members of the Peel District School Board’s Critical Incident Response Team are on hand Monday to provide support as students learn of Allen's death.
The school's flag has been lowered to half-mast in her memory, and a memorial table is set up for students and staff to share their memories and condolences.
The SIU investigates incidents, involving police, where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
Anyone with information about the shooting incident is asked to contact the SIU's lead investigator at 416-622-1898 or 1-800-787-8529 ext. 1898.
