Amanda Anabeza, Courier Staff Writer
Riverside resident, Cedric Anderson, shot his wife in an elementary classroom occupied by special needs children before killing himself this Monday. Two students were injured in the tragedy at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino. One of the two was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
In a report given by the Police Chief, Jarrod Burguan, he states that Anderson walked into the classroom carrying a large caliber revolver and opened fire without warning, killing Karen Elaine Smith – his estranged wife and teacher at the school. The two students who were shot were standing behind Smith at the time.
An 8 year old boy, Jonathan Martinez, died later that day at Loma Linda University Medical Center. The other student, 9 years old, was listed in stable condition by the hospital. Police believe the children were not targets and that they were simply unlucky.
Anderson had signed in at the school office upon entering the school and explained to employees that he needed to give something to his wife and then headed towards the classroom. Burguan stated that it is not uncommon for a spouse to gain access to a school campus to meet with their partner. Anderson and Smith had only been married for a few months and had been separated for at least the last month before this took place.
Court records show that Anderson had previously faced criminal charges for brandishing a weapon, assault, and crimes against public peace in 2013, but those charges were later dismissed. In previous years, there was also two petitions for restraining orders filed against him by different women.