‘Everybody loved Jen.’ Peninsula paraeducator killed in homicide leaves a legacy
The Peninsula School District is grieving the loss of a beloved paraeducator who died from a shooting Tuesday.
Jennifer Bridgette Lantz, 48, was found dead in her Vaughn home. Deputies were dispatched to the 7400 block of 185th Avenue Northwest at 1:27 p.m. after a caller said he came home from work to find his wife, adult son and dog dead from gunshot wounds.
All three were confirmed to be dead after deputies arrived.
Lantz reportedly died from multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death was listed as a homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Her son, Zane Wesley Lantz, 24, was also identified through the office’s portal. His cause and manner of death are pending. That is a temporary designation used when more information is required for certification.
The son had been struggling with mental health issues and addiction. He had been allowed to stay the night with his parents, The News Tribune previously reported.
The investigation into their deaths continues, though deputies say there are not thought to be outstanding suspects.
A GoFundMe had raised over $25,000 to support Lantz’s husband and daughter as of Friday evening.
Lantz’s husband “is a loving father and husband, and his family has always been his world,” the GoFundMe organizer wrote. “(They) have dedicated their careers to serving the families and students of South Kitsap School District and Peninsula School District, going above and beyond to ensure every student feels loved, cared for, and supported. If you have ever had the privilege of meeting (them), you know how quickly they make you feel like a friend. Their kindness and generosity have touched countless lives in our community.”
Lantz, who went by Jen, was dedicated to her work with special education students in the Peninsula School District, district CFO Ashley Murphy wrote in an email. Lantz began her work at Vaughn Elementary in 2011 and most recently was a paraeducator in the district’s Community Transitions Program, which supports young adults as they transition to life after high school.
“Jennifer touched the lives of every student she worked with and was all in for her students. Jennifer was well-loved by both staff and students, and she was an integral part of her school community. She had a real passion for our special education students,” Murphy wrote.
She wrote that Lantz hadn’t worked at Vaughn Elementary recently but was “well known and loved in the community.”
Joe Kimball is owner of Kimball’s Hands on Detailing and Auto Accessories in Gig Harbor. Kimball told The News Tribune that before his son graduated from the school district that Lantz had been his son’s paraeducator. Kimball said Lantz was a big part of the Donut Fridays that they do with local CPT classes for children with special needs.
“One thing you could always count on with Jen: She always had the biggest smile,” Kimball said.
Lantz along with other paraeducators and students would go with Kimball’s son to bowling and lunch. He said Lantz was at his business just last Friday and was getting ready to plan a big bowling outing. There were also plans being made for the next Night to Shine dance, a nationwide prom experience for people with special needs.
“Everybody loved Jen,” Kimball said. “She definitely left a legacy. She left her name in this community.”
Murphy wrote that the Peninsula School District activated its crisis response team at the CTP building Wednesday morning, and made additional administrative and counseling support available for Vaughn Elementary. Staff and counselors shared the news with CTP students in “an appropriate way they could understand, tailored to individual needs,” Murphy wrote. The district also arranged for substitutes to be available for employees who needed to take the day off.
“Counseling services remain available for students and staff who need support in the coming days and weeks,” Murphy wrote.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include words from a GoFundMe organized to support Lantz’s husband and daughter.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 4:32 PM.
