Grief counselors on hand for Strongsville students, staff after deadly domestic shooting | News

STRONGSVILLE, OH (WOIO) - Chapman Elementary School will have a team of 25 grief professionals today for students and staff.

This, after two students were gunned down by their father over spring break at a Cracker Barrel.

Chapman Elementary School Principal Andy Trujillo says Kerri Allen, 10, was a fourth grader at the school along with her sister Kayla, 10, who is currently a fifth grader.
Thursday evening, Kerri, Kayla, their mother Katherina Allen, 42, and father Kevin Allen, 51, were out celebrating Kerri's 10th birthday at a Cracker Barrel restaurant located on Tiedeman Road in Brooklyn, Ohio when their father snapped.

Katherina Allen had told Kevin that she was leaving him. Crazed by a broken marriage, Kevin went to his car and grabbed his shotgun. Allen entered the restaurant and hunted down his wife and two kids, shooting all three. Katherina and Kerri were fatally wounded. Kayla was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center where she was listed in critical condition. Kevin Allen was fatally shot by police as he exited the restaurant.

The Allen girls were on spring break when the shooting occurred. Monday morning will be the first day back at school for students since the tragic shooting of their beloved classmates.

Chapman Principal Andy Trujillo tells 19 Action News that "Strongsville City Schools is a part of the Western Cuyahoga County School Crisis Counseling Team.  This team is comprised of school counselors, school psychologists, and mental health professionals from surrounding school districts who have received training through the Cornerstone of Hope Bereavement Center to work with schools in the event of a crisis.  I expect to have a team of approximately 25 professionals to assist with the grief of staff and students."

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