Brian Betts. Photo by Bel Perez Gabilondo, courtesy DCPS

The Post is now reporting that Montgomery County police chief J.T. Manger, while still waiting for the results of an autopsy, believes that the death of Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson principal Brian Betts was a homicide. He went on to say that the preliminary investigation leads him to believe it was most likely not a random killing.

Ward 2 D.C. Council member Jack Evans has released this statement on Betts’ passing:

Councilmember Jack Evans expresses his deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and students of Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson principal Brian Betts.

“Brian was nothing less than a superstar to the students at Shaw Middle School,” Evans said. “He took a failing school and turned it around to the point where his students didn’t want to leave. He will be missed terribly.”

Anyone with information pertaining to the death is asked to call 240-773-5070.

And here’s DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s statement:

“The unexpected death of Brian Betts is unspeakably tragic for his family, for the Shaw Middle School community, and for all of DC Public Schools.

Brian Betts had the courage to take on the leadership of a struggling, underachieving DCPS school. He came in the 2008-2009 school year and he brought enthusiasm, love and high expectations for the 300 students at Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson.

He was an inspirational leader for the teachers and for the students, and that leadership was bringing results. He knew what the children under his care were capable of, and he was determined to show them how to get there.

Brian Betts’ death is an incredible loss of a young and dedicated school leader. DCPS extends its deepest sympathies to Brian’s family, and to the family he has built at Shaw.”