CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed an elementary school teacher died Wednesday as a result of injuries she suffered after being shot by a robber Friday.
Police say the shooting took place on the 100 block of East Park Avenue in Charlotte's busy SouthEnd neighborhood at 11:33 p.m. Friday after the victim was getting into a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers located Ruijuan Guo, suffering from a gunshot wound. Guo was transported to Carolinas Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. CMPD says she died at CMC Wednesday morning.
Union County Public Schools released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
"It is a very sad day in Union County Public Schools. We have lost one of our own. Miss Guo was a great educator and a valued member of the Kensington Elementary family. UCPS sends its condolences to the Guo family and our VIF colleagues. We will join them in celebrating her life and honoring the great work she did for our dual language immersion students at Kensington Elementary."
The police report states Guo, her boyfriend and friend were preparing to get into their car when they were approached by the suspect. The suspect pulled a gun on them and asked for the boyfriend's wallet. The police report stated he could not get his wallet out of his pocket fast enough so the suspect shot his girlfriend in the head and then ran off.
The police reports states the robber got away with the man's wallet, which contained his driver's license, social security card and $900 in mixed bills.
The Kensington Elementary School posted Sunday on their Facebook page saying, "As many of you may have heard, one of our Mandarin teachers, Miss Guo has been hospitalized since Friday night with life-threatening injuries. As a show of love and support, we are encouraging all of our students and staff to wear purple this week, which is Miss Guo's favorite color, and bring in sunflowers, her favorite flower.
"I mean the dads out in the line today, they were all in purple, teachers in purple, kids in purple. It's just a great community and were just showing support," said Hope Morris, whose daughter attends Kensington Elementary.
Monday, the school's principal, Dr. Clarke, spoke to NBC Charlotte, saying Guo went by the name Euphie and was currently teaching third-grade Mandarin-language immersion.
Dr. Clarke said she was a great teacher and person and that the school's thoughts and prayers are with Euphie, her family and her boyfriend.
"As a principal of a school, you don't want to hear about a student being hurt, or about a staff member being hurt, I mean just part of your heart crumbles," said Dr. Clarke.
Dr. Clarke added that Euphie's parents, who live in China, are expected to arrive in the states Tuesday evening.
"We are making plans to greet them and take care of them when they're here. We're going to be here for them just as Euphie has always been here for us taking care of the children," said Dr. Clarke.
Dr. Clarke says she spoke with parents and teachers Monday and that grievance counselors will be available.
"We tried to explain in our words to them and if they have questions we’ll talk to them and help them cope," said parent Matt Cerimele, who has two kids enrolled in the program.
A Go Fund Me account created for Guo has raised over $31,000.
North Carolina Senator Tommy Tucker issued a statement Thursday saying, "I offer heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and students of Ruijuan Guo, a bright and caring young woman who was making a tremendous difference in the lives of so many young children, and whose senseless loss leaves a deep void in our community."