School community mourns loss of special education teacher police say killed by husband

CHALCO, Nebraska ((WOUT/Gray News) – A Nebraska school community is mourning the loss of a special education teacher who was killed after a domestic violence incident ended in gunfire, according to police.

Sarpy County Sheriff Jeff Davis said deputies found 45-year-old Rebecca Geiger dead in her Chalco Hills home after shots were exchanged near South 143rd Street and Meadows Parkway around 3 a.m. Monday.

Officials said Geiger’s 19-year-old daughter called 911 and told operators that her father, Rory Geiger, 44, had shot her mother before pointing a gun at her.

Rory Geiger reportedly then turned his attention to sheriff’s deputies, although Davis said the first shot was fired by a person inside the house.

“The subject opened fire from inside the home through a glass window. One of our officers returned fire,” the sheriff said in a news release Monday.

Officers then entered the home and found Rory Geiger dead from a gunshot wound.

Life-saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Authorities said they were at the home about a month ago because of the incident and were told not to return.

“An alarm was raised at the residence due to the response received at that time,” Davis said. “It was at home and we were keeping an eye on mental health issues. The next day the man told us, “Be careful, you shouldn’t come back here.”

The five deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, officials said. None of the deputies were injured.

Investigators are reviewing body cameras worn by deputies, as well as cameras inside and outside the home. They said they are not yet sure whether Rory Geiger’s fatal wounds were self-inflicted or from a gunshot fired by a Sarpy County deputy.

“It appears that at this point, whether he committed suicide or was shot by one of our people, it’s likely their reaction and coming in probably saved both of these girls’ lives,” Davis said.

It is reported that during a search of the house, law enforcement officers found several weapons.

“VERY KIND TEACHER”

Rebecca Geiger was a special education teacher who had just started 10th grade at Westside High School.

“She was just a really kind teacher,” Elizabeth Power said. Westside Community Schools said. “She was so good at making her students feel seen and loved as if they belonged here at Westside High School, and that is very important for any student, especially her students.”

The district has created a crisis response team. Consultants will be available all week.