A Georgia college professor allegedly shot dead an 18-year-old girl who was to begin classes at the school where he taught this fall.
Richard Sigman, a 47-year-old professor at University of West Georgia, was charged with murder, possession of a firearm and aggravated assault in the death Saturday of Anna Jones. Jones was shot outside a pizzeria in Carrollton after Sigman and another man had gotten into an argument, according to police.
“The University of West Georgia has learned of the loss of one of its students, Anna Jones, who passed away following an off-campus incident earlier today,” school president Brendan Kelly said in a statement, according to CBS 46. “UWG has terminated the employment of Richard Sigman and continues to work with the city of Carrollton Police Department, which leads this ongoing investigation.”
Police said Sigman had threatened to shoot the other man, who called for help. When security approached the professor, they saw he was carrying a gun and ordered him to leave. But Sigman allegedly walked toward a parking lot and began shooting into a parked vehicle where Jones was sitting, authorities said.
GoFundMe
Jones was a 2022 graduate of the Mount Zion High School.
“Anna loved this school and this community and she will be missed dearly by many,” the school wrote on a Facebook post. “Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.”
A GoFundMe page to raise money for the girl’s funeral expenses had raised about $18,000 as of Monday morning.
“She was a beautiful, sweet soul and her smile would light up a room! As with most parents, you never think that you will need life insurance for your child,” the page read. “This was a devastating and senseless crime that left a lot of hearts broken, a community mourning, and a family grieving. If you could, please help in any way.”
A course catalog listed Sigman as a lecturer in business administration.
“On behalf of the university, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to Anna’s family and many friends,” Kelly added.