PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- Police here are still investigating after they say a man attacked his estranged wife at the school where she teaches and then took his own life after barricading himself in a home.
Portsmouth Police Capt. Robert Ware said the incident began with a call of a stabbing on 11th Street Thursday morning.
In that incident, police said Stephanie Loop was stabbed multiple times by Michael Layne. Loop was in critical condition at Grant Hospital in Columbus.
From there, police say Layne went about four blocks to Notre Dame Elementary School and attacked his wife Christi Layne. Students reported hearing at least one gunshot during the incident, but medical officials haven't been able to confirm if Layne suffers from a gunshot wound.
Mazie Lawson, a student in Layne's class, said she heard gunshots and then she saw Michael Layne go after Christi Layne.
"We saw him pull a knife out and go at her. We were terrified," she said.
Layne was last listed in critical condition at Cabell Huntington Hospital at noon Thursday. Her family has since requested that hospital officials no longer release her status
Police originally said Michael Layne shot his wife
Christi Layne was a fifth grade teacher at Notre Dame Elementary School. The principal of the school, Kay Kern, said she had been a teacher for 19 years.
After leaving the school, police said Michael Layne barricaded himself in a home on the 2500 block of Argonne Road. He held police at bay for sometime but shot and killed himself about 1:30 p.m.
Police found Michael Layne's body in an outbuilding near the home on Argonne Road.
It's unclear if Christi Layne and Stephanie Loop are related.
According to court documents, the couple filed for divorce last month and a mutual restraining order was filed on Jan 28. Christi Layne's attorney said Michael Layne was served with divorce papers on Monday.
Click here to read Christi and and Michael Layne's divorce docket
Subscribe: WOWK Top Stories
