A third-grade teacher in New Jersey was shot to death at her Jersey City home early Tuesday, allegedly a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, who was arrested out of state hours later, a high-level police source and other law enforcement sources confirmed.
Sources identified the victim as Temara King, who celebrated her 35th birthday just two weeks ago and taught at Public School Number 5 on Merseles Street. She was killed at her apartment on Bergen Avenue shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sources said her 14-year-old daughter was the one who called 911 and told the dispatcher her dad shot her.
The father, identified by sources as 39-year-old Lucus Cooper, was apprehended by Pennsylvania State Police later Tuesday, the high-ranking police sources said. Charges against him weren't immediately clear, nor did Hudson County prosecutors, who were leading the investigation, immediately confirm the details of the case publicly.
Family members described King as a loving mother. She also was a loving teacher, Jersey City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez indicated."Our hearts are broken at the sudden violent loss of Temara King," Fernandez said in a statement."She was an outstanding educator and dedicated faculty member. She will be missed and our prayers go to her family as they cope with the tragedy.
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