According to police and local sources, an 18-year-old girl was reportedly shot and killed by a professor at the Georgia university where she planned to enroll in the autumn.
In the Saturday killing of Anna Jones, a recent high school graduate who was enrolled as an incoming freshman at the University of West Georgia, Richard Sigman, 47, was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a handgun, and aggravated assault.
Professor Charged After Killing an Incoming Freshman
According to Carrollton police, a guy reported to security at Leopoldo's, a local pizza restaurant, that Sigman threatened to shoot him after the two got into an altercation about midnight. According to detectives, when security approached the professor and discovered he had a firearm, they urged him to leave.
Authorities claimed Sigman departed and headed toward a parking garage, where he reportedly began firing into a parked vehicle where Jones was seated. When the young woman was hit, her companions rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, New York Post reported.
Jones was then transported to Tanner Medical Center. After receiving a complaint of a gunshot wound, local police were called to the hospital at 12:27 am. The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital after being treated for her injuries.
Given that they attended the same institution, it is unknown if Sigman and Jones knew one another or had a past connection. The University of West Georgia issued a statement on Saturday afternoon confirming Sigman's dismissal and expressing regret for Jones' death.
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GoFundMe Page Launched in Death of 18-Year-Old Georgia Teen
"The University of West Georgia has heard of the death of one of its students, Anna Jones, who died earlier today as a result of an off-campus event," university President Dr. Brendan Kelly said in a statement. Sigman is now facing accusations, including one count of murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one count of possession of a handgun during the commission of a crime.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist Jones' bereaved family. As of Sunday morning, it had generated more than $13,000, well above its $7,500 target. "She was a lovely, wonderful person, and her smile would light up a room!" commented Jennifer Lepard, who organized the page, according to Newsweek via MSN.
As per The Sun, Sigman was asked to leave the area when he got into a quarrel and allegedly threatened to shoot the man he was arguing with when security noticed he had a pistol. According to detectives, Sigman then proceeded to a parking deck a block away from the pizza business and opened fire on the parked car in which Jones was seated.
Jones had just graduated from Mount Zion High School, which paid homage to her after learning of her death. According to the school's website, all UWG students, professors, and staff will have access to counseling and support services.
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