An 18-year-old freshman’s murder has shocked the University of West Georgia (UWG) after police revealed that one of its professors had fatally shot the student.
Richard Sigman, 47, was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault in the death of Anna Jones, a recent high school graduate and incoming freshman at UWG, the Carrollton Police Department wrote on Facebook.
Jones was shot to death early on Saturday morning in a parking lot.
The incident occurred after security at a local pizza shop on Adamson Square received an alert that Sigman had threatened to shoot another man during an argument. When security approached the professor, they noticed he was carrying a firearm and told him to leave.
Sigman then walked to the parking deck and started shooting into a parked car, striking the victim. Friends rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police are still investigating whether Jones was the intended victim or whether they were acquainted.
Police say a University of West Georgia professor shot and killed a freshman student in a parking garage in Carrollton early this morning. 18-year-old Anna Jones' friends are speaking out tonight at 11 on @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/gHvUg6YaCK
— Rob DiRienzo (@RobDiRienzo) July 31, 2022
University Statement
“We know this news is difficult to process and affects many members of our university community,” UWG president, Dr. Brendan Kelly, said in a statement. “On behalf of the university, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to Anna’s family and many friends.”
The university added that it has fired professor Sigman and is still cooperating with the Carrollton Police Department, which is in charge of the ongoing investigation.
According to the university, all UWG students, teachers, and staff can access counseling and support services at westga.edu/wellness. Students can also take advantage of the UWG Counseling Center at any time.