Officials: Victim in Port Charlotte murder-suicide was North Port HS teacher

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – A North Port High School teacher and her estranged husband were  involved in a murder-suicide Friday night that occurred as they were exchanging their child, officials said Saturday.

Hugh and Antoinette Gordon met outside a McDonald’s, located at 3232 Tamiami Trail, at about 7 p.m. Antoinette Gordon died from apparent gunshot wounds, while Hugh Gordon died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said.

Witnesses said about two dozen shots were fired and that the shooting happened in front of the couple’s son.

The sheriff’s office did not release the couple’s ages or addresses, nor did they release any information about their child, who they said is “being placed and cared for.”

Antoinette Gordon, who went by “Ann,” taught language arts and reading at North Port High, the Sarasota County School District said. She had worked for the district since 2005.

School principal David Jones notified parents of her death Saturday afternoon through a recorded phone message.

“We are a resilient group of people, and we will work through this terrible tragedy together,” he said, in part. “No words can express the profound loss we are all experiencing, but our support and care for one another will enable us move forward in the most positive manner possible.”

North Port High will be open on Sunday for those wanting to meet with school and district officials. Extra guidance counselors will be at the school throughout next week for grieving students, including one in each of Antoinette Gordon’s classes, the district said.