NYC Mourns Woman Slain In Murder-Suicide, Raises $18K For Her Son

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — A school safety officer who was killed in an apparent Fort Greene murder-suicide this week had been a light of compassion and protection for students at the Manhattan high school where she worked, students and parents said.

Students, parents and friends of Naire McCormick shared memories of the 44-year-old mother and NYPD school safety officer on a GoFundMe set up for her son, Scottie, who was in the next room when his mom was shot in the head in an apartment on Clermont Avenue. Police believe McCormick was killed by her boyfriend, who then killed himself.

The GoFundMe, which will set up a trust fund for the 13-year-old, had raised $18,000 by Thursday, just a day after it was set up.

Many who donated said they wanted to make sure Scottie was taken care of the way McCormick cared for the students she served at Millennium High School in the Financial District.

"Officer McCormick...shared her beautiful smile and love for life in her greeting," one parent, who donated $250, wrote. "She remembered every face, every student, knew their families and displayed student graduation photos on her memory wall......they were all her kids. Now we need to take care of Scott with the same love."

Students remembered McCormick, who had been a school safety officer since 2004, as a "source of happiness and compassion" throughout their four years at the school.

"Ms. McCormick was such an important part of my high school experience," one student wrote. "She will be missed by so, so many."

Police found McCormick and her boyfriend, Jancy Dempster just before midnight on Sunday with gunshot wounds to their heads. Officers had come to the apartment after a 911 call reported harassment inside.

By Tuesday morning, McCormick's death had been deemed a homicide.

Police sources told the New York Post that the two had been celebrating Dempster's birthday and drinking heavily before the 911 call, from a neighbor, came in.

Dempster killed McCormick and himself as his cousin and Scottie were in the next room, the sources said. The cousin and son ran into the hallway when they heard gunshots and were met by police responding to the 911 call, the Post said.

Police, who found a gun in the apartment, are still investigating the incident.

Donations for her family were still pouring in Thursday morning.

"Naire’s was always the first beautiful, smiling face my daughter and her fellow students saw each morning entering school," one parent, who donated $100, wrote. "She was a warm, supportive, and protective presence who will be missed by our community beyond words."

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