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Students, Families Reeling After Teacher Is Shot To Death

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Charlotte Mercier, left, says Sean Ellenberger cared about his students, including her son David.

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 3, 2008

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  Sean Ellenberger

  Michael Balkaran

Parents and students are mourning the death of a teacher known for his sense of humor and by the nickname "Mr. E."

Sean Ellenberger, 39, taught at Broach St. Petersburg, a private school for children with learning disabilities. He was fatally shot about midnight Friday when he and a teen exchanged gunfire outside a Seffner home.

Upon learning of Ellenberger's death, parent Charlotte Mercier said Sunday that she cannot imagine the coming school year without him. School starts at Broach in two weeks.

"He cares enough to make sure his students succeeded," Mercier said. "He will work with them one on one if he has to. I liked him. I like him a lot."

Ellenberger taught her son, David, in math. He enters 10th grade this year.

"The one who really liked him are going to be hit hard," David Mercier said. "He had a really good sense of humor."

Ellenberger died after he and a friend were installing a car stereo in a Jeep Cherokee, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Titus Hill, 19, and another suspect approached the two men and tried to rob them, deputies said.

One of the suspects was armed with a handgun, investigators said. Ellenberger, who was licensed to carry a concealed gun, pulled a pistol of his own, deputies said. Shots were fired and in a brief gun battle, Ellenberger and Hill were mortally wounded, investigators said.

Michael Balkaran, 17, of Tampa, was arrested late Saturday in connection with the fatal shooting. Balkaran was charged with first-degree murder in Ellenberger's death and second-degree murder in Hill's death. He is being held at the county's Juvenile Assessment Center.

"I still can't believe it," Charlotte Mercier said. "I'm still in shock over it. I'm still stunned. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it right now."

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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