Elementary school teacher shot in head in South End dies at hospital surrounded by family

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Union County teacher who police said was shot by an armed robber has died.

Police said Ruijuan "Euphie" Guo, 33, died Wednesday morning at Carolinas Medical Center in the presence of her family.

It is a very sad day in Union County Public Schools. We have lost one of our own. Miss Guo was a great educator and a valued member of the Kensington Elementary family. UCPS sends its condolences to the Guo family and our VIF colleagues. We will join them in celebrating her life and honoring the great work she did for our dual language immersion students at Kensington Elementary.

Officers were called to 115 East Park Avenue in South End around 11:30 p.m. Friday. There investigators said they found Guo with a gunshot wound.

According to a police report, Guo’s boyfriend said he, Guo and a friend had been walking to their car when they were approached by an armed suspect.

Guo's boyfriend told police the suspect demanded his wallet and shot Guo in the head when he didn’t get it out of his pocket fast enough. He said the suspect then ran off with approximately $900 in cash.

No one else was reported to have been hurt.

Guo was a third grade teacher at Kensington Elementary School in Waxhaw.

(Ruijuan Guo)

On Monday, staff decorated the interior and exterior of the school in purple ribbons and sunflowers, Guo’s favorite color and flower.

“My first instinct was just to get in the car and go to the hospital,” said Dr. Rachel Clarke, principal of Kensington Elementary School. “I spent much of the weekend there. I talk to Euphie, I hold her hand.”

Clarke said counselors were on hand to talk with students Monday. The Principal also met with Guo’s students and their parents.

“It’s hard to have a daughter ask you why something like that happened,” said Brett Garson, whose daughter attends the school.

Guo had been teaching the Mandarin program at Kensington Elementary for the past four years. This year, her students are third graders.

Clarke described Guo as an energetic teacher who quickly grasped the love of her students.

“We’re just very hopeful for Euphie,” said Clarke.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department wouldn’t comment further on the case but police are asking anyone with information to call 704-432-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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