A District middle school principal was found shot to death at his Silver Spring home and authorities are looking for his missing vehicle, Montgomery County Police said.
The body of Shaw Middle School Principal Brian Betts was discovered inside his Columbia Boulevard home on Thursday afternoon, police said. A co-worker went to check on Betts because he failed to show up for work or respond to calls, police said. The co-worker found the door open, saw a light on, then got out of the house and called police.
Police said Betts suffered at least one gunshot wound. The medical examiner in Baltimore performed an autopsy Friday and determined his death to be a homicide.
Police were looking for Betts’ dark blue 2007 Nissan Xterra with Maryland license plate 562M222.
Betts, 42, was working to turn around the poor-performing middle school near Logan Circle. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who recruited Betts in 2008, called his unexpected death “unspeakably tragic.”
“He was an inspirational leader for the teachers and for the students, and that leadership was bringing results,” Rhee said in an statement. “He knew what the children under his care were capable of, and he was determined to show them how to get there.”
Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the victim’s Nissan Xterra to call the police non-emergency number of (301) 279-8000. Anyone with other information pertaining to the case is asked to call homicide detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.
