'Devoted' Teachers Are Fatally Shot in Separate Homes, Leaving Their 2 Sons Orphaned

A Canadian former couple who were described by loved ones on an online fundraiser as “devoted teachers” were killed in a shooting, authorities said.

On July 13, officers were called to a home in Oshawa, Ontario, where they found Patrick Montgomery inside one home and Andrieana Montgomery inside another along the same street, Durham Regional Police said, according to CTV News Toronto, the Toronto Sun, and Global News. Police said the victims, both 42, sustained gunshot wounds and were later pronounced dead.

The Peterborough Examiner reports that the victims were still married but were separated, and were living in separate residences on the same street.

At a press conference, Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss said a 30-year-old man was arrested at the second home without incident, adding that the shooting was “not a domestic-related incident,” Global News reported.

According to CTV News Toronto, authorities have identified the suspect as Mark Gordon, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. 

Police told CTV News Toronto the suspect knew the victims, but a motive for the killings is still being investigated.

Andrieana was a longtime art teacher at Bowmanville High School and Patrick worked at the Durham Catholic District School Board, CP24 reported.

According to a GoFundMe campaign created to help offset funeral and other costs, Patrick and Andrieana were both “devoted teachers” and are survived by two sons, ages 12 and 10.

“Pat was an active and loving man who could light up a room,” fundraiser organizer Mike Modeste wrote on the fundraising page. “He took great joy in being a father, playing sports with his sons, coaching them, and building them a backyard ice rink.”

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The fundraiser continued, “Andrieana was an incredibly talented artist and brought the arts to life with her boys. Motherhood was something that came to her naturally and was a responsibility that she took on with the utmost care, love, and grace. Both were devoted teachers who cared deeply for their students.”

Patrick was also a former ice hockey player with The Oshawa Generals, which mourned the deaths in a post shared to X, formerly Twitter, on July 15.

“It is with a saddened heart that the Generals organization express condolences for the passing of former left-winger, Pat Montgomery as well as Andrieana Montgomery,” the team wrote alongside a picture of Patrick on the ice. “We send our prayers for healing to all those affected.”

The fundraiser has garnered more than $158,000 USD in donations as of July 19.