Florida charter-school math teacher killed in murder suicide

A beloved charter-school math teacher was killed in a murder suicide in Florida, police say.

Maria Cruz de la Cruz, a 51-year-old elementary-school instructor and mom, was found shot inside a home in Palmetto Estates south of Miami around 4:20 p.m. Friday, Detective Angel Rodriguez of the Miami-Dade Police Department told The Post in a statement.

A second unnamed male victim also was shot by the gunman, who eventually killed himself, Rodriguez said. Cops declined to give the male victim’s condition.

Another woman was in the home, too, but she was not injured, authorities said.

Cruz and the wounded male victim were transported to Jackson South Medical Center, where she died from her injuries, Rodriguez said.

The shooter – who has not been named publicly – was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound the head.

The gun was on the ground next to him, Rodriguez added.

“Detectives have determined this is a murder/suicide,” Rodriguez said.

Cameras at the scene showed the unharmed survivor and another woman speaking with officers after the crime, WSVN reported.

Cruz was a math teacher at Doral Academy K-8 Charter, according to a GoFundMe established in her memory.

At the time of her death, Cruz had been working at the school for almost 10 years, the fundraiser page stated.

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the loss of our cherished Ms. Maria Cruz,” Principal Eleanora Cuesta said in a statement to NBC6.

“Her compassion, commitment, and love for her students have left an indelible mark on us all. In these difficult times, our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with her daughters.

“May the memory of our beloved Maria Cruz be a blessing.”

As of Sunday morning, the GoFundMe for Cruz’s family had raised over $22,000 of its $100,000 goal.

Neighbors in Palmetto Estates said the occupants of the house where the shooting took place were new to the area.

A local resident told NBC6 that he heard the gunshots from his home and called 911.

“We didn’t know what to expect because [the police] were coming out of their cars with their guns drawn,” said a neighbor, a woman who lives just a few doors down from the scene, to the outlet.

“We were pretty nervous and scared not knowing who was really living in our neighborhood.

“You don’t know what the neighbors are capable of, it could have happened outside and someone could have gotten hurt innocently,” she said. “I just hope that nothing like this ever happens again.”

Another neighbor, Raidel Munoz, said authorities had the street cordoned off for some time.

“This area being blocked off is quite a surprise, to say the least,” he said.

“Noticed a bunch of ambulances coming by, firefighters, helicopter, then I came outside to see what was going on. Quite very concerning. I never expected something like this so close to my home,” Munoz added.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.