A lovers’ quarrel turned deadly when a man opened fire on his wife in a San Bernardino elementary school classroom, killing her and an 8-year-old special needs student cowering behind her before turning the gun on himself, police said.

Cedric Anderson, 53, entered North Park Elementary School around 10:30 a.m. PST and shot his estranged wife, Karen Elaine Smith, 53, with a large caliber revolver, killing her and striking two students who were behind her before killing himself, officials said.

Johnathan Martinez, 8, died after he was airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center and another student, age 9, is in stable condition at the same hospital. His identification is pending family notification.

Police said Anderson entered the building Monday morning and told the office he was there “to drop something off with his wife,” Chief Jarrod Burguan told reporters.

“He came in and very, very quickly upon entering the classroom started shooting… [his wife] was specifically targeted,” Burguan said.

He fired over 6 rounds, stopping once to reload, before killing himself.

“The students were behind the teacher when the suspect shot his wife, as a result of being behind her they were hit,” Burguan said.

He said the couple has been estranged for over a month and have only been married a few months, adding Anderson had a history of domestic violence, weapon charges and drug charges.

Burguan said there were two teacher aides in the special needs classroom, which had 15 students in grades first through fourth.

San Bernardino City Unified School District Superintendent Dale Marsden called the incident “an absolute tragic event.”

“Parents I have a message for you: I would like you to please work with your young child, to keep things as normal as possible, to be willing to listen to their story and be willing to listen to their story multiple times,” Marsden told reporters.

“Reassure them the danger they faced is passed.”

Students from the elementary school were taken to the nearby Cajon High School for safe-keeping—police don’t expect the school to be open for at least two more days.

San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis said he’s concerned for the parents and children who were involved.

“Far too often in our country and through our world we gather to report this news of tragic events that take place,” Davis said.

“I want the parents and teachers of North Park Elementary to know of my concern for their health and their welfare and their safety.”

Davis noted the White House called him to say President Trump was aware of the shooting.

“The president expressed his concern for the community… he has offered his aid in any way possible to help in this situation.”

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos tweeted Monday “My hearts and prayers go out to the victims of today’s horrible act in #SanBernardino & to the whole North Park Elem. School community.”

The shootout happened just ten miles from one of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history when husband and wife Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik opened fire at a holiday party and killed 14 people, injuring 22 others in a terrorist attack.