OCEANA COUNTY, Mich. — A Wyoming teacher was found dead from a gunshot wound in Mears. Police are now considering the death suspicious.
Police were called to a private property in the 5800 block of West Taylor Road around 9 p.m. Wednesday. There, they discovered the body of a 33-year-old man from New Era who was shot.
Two days later, they confirmed that the man was a beloved teacher. Juan Carlos Lozano taught math at Lee Middle School in Wyoming.
School leaders announced his death in an email, saying the loss had already "deeply affected" the community.
Lozano was 13 ON YOUR SIDE's Teacher of the Week in September 2023. He was surprised by an entire assembly in his honor, along with the special guests of his wife, mom and brother. It moved him to tears.
Lozano said he got into teaching from his mom, who was a ParaPro for over 20 years, and it became his passion.
“I feel that I fit in. I’m at home every time I come here. Love every minute of it. I hope this is my retire[ment] school,” said Lozano.
One student at the assembly stood in front of the crowd to thank Lozano for helping him become a better person, and better at math.
“Teachers are so important to the lives of our youth. So, seeing one of our coworkers or staff specifically get nominated or celebrated in that way was just really special,” said Rose.
“It’s nice to be recognized and it’s even better because I put a lot of my heart into this school, into my students. So, to see that was very cool,” said Lozano at the time.
The investigation into Lozano's death is ongoing. His autopsy is scheduled for Friday in Big Rapids.
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