The man, identified as Vincent Verdi, 62, then shot himself in the face. He is listed in critical condition at Bellevue. (Police originally stated that he had died, as DNAinfo noted.)
Lee worked at the Grace School high school campus at 46 Cooper Square. She often rode a Citi Bike to work on Cooper Square from her Upper East Side apartment.
School officials expressed their grief and offered a few details in a series of tweets yesterday...
We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of a beloved colleague, Elizabeth Lee, to an unthinkable act of violence this morning. 1/ pic.twitter.com/G0DlQIuLFG
— Grace Church School (@GCSchoolNYC) November 1, 2017
Elizabeth was a dearly loved member of our community for 17 years, first as a Grace Parent, Parents' Association Chair and... 2/
— Grace Church School (@GCSchoolNYC) November 1, 2017
most recently the assistant to the Assistant Head of School. We are all heartbroken over this tragedy. 3/
— Grace Church School (@GCSchoolNYC) November 1, 2017
Details about funeral arrangements will be shared here when they are available. 4/4
— Grace Church School (@GCSchoolNYC) November 1, 2017
As the Daily News reported about Verdi:
He stalked her for months after she dumped him following a failed Match.com romance — leading her to lock in an order of protection that wasn’t enough to keep her alive.
Creepy ex Vincent Verdi was spotted by neighbors peering into Elizabeth Lee-Herman’s Upper East Side building and loitering nearby in an apparent effort to catch her alone.
He was facing stalking charges filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office after he was arrested Oct. 5 for threatening her.
After she broke up with him on July 7, he peppered her with emails and calls to the school where she works, court records show. He sent her chocolate and flowers. He showed up at her dentist appointment on Aug. 10.
Judge Angela Badamo issued the order barring Verdi from contacting Lee-Herman and demanded he turn over all firearms.
He spent seven days in jail and was released Oct. 12, records show.
Heartbroken to hear this terrible news. Elizabeth Lee was a gem of a lady, beautiful inside & out, & such a meaningful person at the school
— Heidi Steinberg (@heidisteinberg) November 1, 2017
