Some show kids school is safe after San Bernardino shooting

Anderson, 53, fired 10 shots from a .357 Magnum. Just a month into their marriage, Anderson had accused his wife of infidelity — though police say there is no evidence of that — and when reconciliation efforts failed, he shot and killed her, San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said.

Smith told family members that Anderson had also threatened her after she moved out, but she didn’t take him seriously and thought he was just seeking attention, the police chief said.

The 8-year-old who died had Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by learning delays, mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities and heart problems. Jonathan had survived a previous heart surgery. School officials said Jonathan was a happy child who loved music and playing with friends.

Family members posted photos of Jonathan on social media of him on amusement rides, sitting on Santa’s lap and riding a horse — all of them show him flashing a smile.

Another boy was also struck by gunfire but is expected to recover. The 9-year-old was stable and in good spirits as he watched cartoons in his hospital bed Tuesday, the school district’s superintendent said.

As a memorial continued to grow on the sidewalk outside of the elementary school, parents and colleagues remembered Smith as a dedicated educator who cared deeply for her students and was devoted to education.

“She was an excellent teacher,” said Marie Cabreras, who has two young children at North Park and also has an older daughter who was Smith’s student for two years at a nearby high school. “Her whole life was surrounded around kids and helping them, and helping them build a future.”

Rachel Valles, whose 8-year-old son Ethan was a student in Smith’s class, said the boy had struggled with reading and math until he started in Smith’s class in August.

“She had a huge impact on his life. He started reading and doing long math,” Valles said. “I told her you have turned his life around. You’ve done for him what I couldn’t do.”

The young boy was not in school Monday and when Valles heard the shooting was in Smith’s classroom, she said she almost passed out.

“I spent all night hugging him and telling him, ‘Please don’t ever leave my side,’” she said.

Valles is still struggling with how to explain the deaths of her son’s teacher and classmate.

“I just keep telling him, ‘Baby, Miss Smith is on vacation. She’s visiting God. So is Jonathan. He’s visiting God and they’re happy there.”

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Balsamo reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers John Antczak, Christopher Weber and Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Amanda Lee Myers And Michael Balsamo, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Some show kids school is safe after San Bernardino shooting

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