You probably heard about the shooting that took place at an elementary school in San Bernadino, Calif. on Monday morning. And while details about the tragic incident were limited during the day, we now know that the shooting was a murder-suicide carried out not by a tormented student, but by an estranged husband.
According to KTLA, Cedric Anderson, 53, was identified as the shooter who opened fire on the campus of North Park Elementary School. The man entered the classroom of his estranged wife’s special education class and opened fire on her using a revolver. He was said to have reloaded at least once based on the statements of witnesses, which included two adult aides. Anderson reportedly said nothing when he entered the class and instead, immediately started firing. Not only did he kill Karen Elaine Smith, 53, in front of the class of 15 students from the first and fourth grades, but Anderson also ended up striking two students who were standing behind her. Sadly, one of the students, an 8-year-old boy named Jonathan Martinez, died from his injuries after being rushed to the hospital. The other student, a 9-year-old boy, was listed in critical condition yesterday at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Per statements from San Bernadino police Chief Jarrod Burguan, Anderson and Smith had only been married for a few months and ended up separating around a month or so ago. A clear motive is unknown at the moment, but Anderson reportedly had a history of domestic violence as well as weapons charges. He is said to have checked in at North Park’s front office, a school of 500 students, on the morning of the shooting. He claimed that he was dropping off something with Smith, and since he was still technically her spouse, he was allowed on the premises.
As PEOPLE reported, just a month ago, Anderson, whose profile picture was of him and Smith, called his wife an “angel” on Facebook. They both seemed head over heels in love with Smith sharing their wedding invitation publicly and also making her profile picture one of herself with Anderson.
This violent turn of events is a far cry from his words of affirmation and expressions of love.
Image via Getty
The post San Bernadino School Shooter Cedric Anderson Kills Estranged Wife, Her Student, And Himself appeared first on MadameNoire.