An assistant principal who was fatally shot Thursday evening in a downtown residential building was remembered Saturday as someone who made it his “mission” to improve school culture.

A student advocate who worked with Abnerd Joseph, assistant principal of culture at the downtown campus of Intrinsic Schools, said the school leader always made everyone feel welcome.

“He was always there for both students and staff, no matter if it was school related or not,” Chandris May told the Chicago Tribune. “He made a really big impact on our school, even in the small amount of time he was there.”

Joseph was discovered fatally shot Thursday evening in the hallway of a building in the Loop neighborhood, according to the school he worked for and Chicago police. Joseph, 32, was identified by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Though in a discipline role, May said Joseph always offered words of encouragement when speaking with students and knew everyone by name.

“He was like the mayor of the school,” May said. “Just always in good spirits and willing to celebrate everyone for anything.”

Students at the downtown campus of Intrinsic Schools will attend class virtually on Monday and Tuesday, May said. A group of students also organized a balloon release memorial event, to take place Monday.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of Mr. Joseph who served our school as an empathetic leader, role model and inspiration for our students,” a statement from Intrinsic Schools read. “We are communicating this tragedy to our community and providing any support needed to both students and his colleagues during this difficult time. Our hearts are with Mr. Joseph’s family.”

Intrinsic Schools, a public charter school, has campuses in the Loop and Irving Park.

Before joining Intrinsic Schools in 2022, Joseph worked in Atlanta as a school administrator, and math and science teacher, according to his staff page on the school’s website. According to his biography, Joseph had been pursuing his master’s in educational leadership with Georgia State University.

A school spokesperson said school had been dismissed early on Friday and that social workers would be available Monday to assist students and staff members.

According to police, shortly after 7:30 p.m., officers responded to call of a person shot at a residential building in the first block of East Monroe Street and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds lying in a hallway.

The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was listed in critical condition and later was pronounced dead at 8:11 p.m., according to the medical examiner.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Joseph was involved in an argument in which a 45-year-old pulled out a weapon and shot him, police said.

A search of the building was conducted and a man was arrested. Charges were pending.

Originally Published: Sep 15, 2023 at 7:48 am