A Fort Worth school administrator is dead after being shot at her home in Benbrook last week, and a man who shares her last name — believed to be her husband — has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with her death.
Benbrook police and paramedics responded on Friday, April 17, around 7:30 p.m. to a home in the 1000 block of Sproles Drive after receiving a call reporting that someone had been shot in the face accidentally. First responders arrived to find 42-year-old Lindsay Velasquez unconscious with an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital, where she later died.
Authorities arrested 39-year-old Alberto Velasquez at the scene. He is currently held in the Tarrant County Jail on manslaughter charges as the investigation continues. While the two share a last name and the shooting occurred at a residence, Benbrook police have not officially confirmed the relationship between the suspect and the victim.
Fort Worth ISD officials confirmed Lindsay Velasquez was an assistant principal within the district and a mother of three. She served as assistant principal of Luella Merrett Elementary School and was in her second year in that role. She held a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from West Texas A&M University and was described by colleagues as an advocate for educational equity and student engagement.
News of her death spread quickly among parents and staff, who described her as a dedicated educator known for her positive energy. The shooting has left the Fort Worth ISD community stunned.
Fort Worth ISD confirmed that both Lindsay and Alberto Velasquez were employed by the district at the time of the incident. The district issued a statement expressing condolences and confirmed that counselors and support staff were deployed to Luella Merrett Elementary to assist students and faculty.
“Fort Worth ISD is aware of a tragic off-campus incident involving two district employees,” the statement read. “This situation did not occur on a Fort Worth ISD campus, and there is no ongoing threat to students or staff. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with the family and all those impacted.”
Benbrook police stated the investigation remains ongoing and have not released specific details regarding the circumstances of the shooting. No additional charges have been announced.