by Ashley Dinkel on 2017-04-12
SAN BERNARDINO>> North Park Elementary School remained closed Tuesday, April 11 after Riverside resident Cedric Anderson, 53, fatally shot his wife, Karen Elaine Smith, 53, in her classroom and killed an 8-year-old boy named Jonathan Martinez on Monday, April 10.
San Bernardino Police Department Chief Jarrod Burguan held a press conference on Monday detailing the attack and said Anderson shot with a large-caliber revolver that shot Smith and struck two students in the class.
After the shooting, Burguan said Anderson then killed himself. A total of fifteen students were in the class, as well as two aides.
Burguan stated when officers arrived, they found the man and woman dead in the classroom, as well as the two injured students. The two students were transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center’s trauma center where Martinez died shortly after arriving to the hospital.
The other student victim was a 9-year-old boy who is in stable condition at the hospital.
Burguan said the motivation is unknown and that the couple had only been married for a few months and were separated for about a month. Burguan said Anderson has a criminal history including domestic violence, weapons and possible drug charges.
Students from the elementary school took shelter at California State University, San Bernardino and were reunited with the parents who were asked to go to Cajon High School.
Burguan said about 150 officers from the San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino Unified School District, the County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol responded to the incident.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson released a statement Monday following the shooting.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the students, teachers, staff and the entire community at North Park Elementary School and the San Bernardino City Unified School District,” Torlakson said in a press release. “This is a tragedy, especially for young students, but school officials and law enforcement acted quickly to deal with the event.”
Rep. Pete Aguilar also issued a statement in response to the shooting.
“I’m devastated by the shooting at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino,” Aguilar said. “This is like a punch to the gut for our community. My sincere and heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this heinous act. I’m in touch with the San Bernardino Police Department and am monitoring the situation as it unfolds. Once again, we’ve seen the bravery of our region’s first responders who are willing to put their lives on the line to end the violence and keep students safe.”
He continued, “This is a tragedy for our community and there are children, teachers, staff and families who will be dealing with what happened today for a long time. As we have done before, we need to come together to support those affected and rededicate ourselves to ending gun violence in our community.”
A prayer vigil was held Monday night at Our Lady of the Assumption Church where numerous community members gathered to mourn the lives lost and the tragedy that struck the city and community.
Grief counselors and victim advocates are available to anyone who may need counseling. They can be reached at the District Attorney's Office Regional Victim Services Center locations at (909) 382-3846.
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