University of West Georgia professor charged with the death of a student

Anna Jones, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of West Georgia (UWG), was shot and killed in a parking garage by UWG’s former professor, Richard Sigman.

According to the Carrollton Police Department, Sigman was at Leopoldo’s Pizza when he got into a verbal fight with another man. The man told security that Signman threatened to shoot him, and once police saw that Sigman was carrying a weapon, they asked him to leave. Sigman then “walked to the parking deck and began shooting into a parked vehicle striking the victim,” according to the Carrollton Police Department Facebook post.

Police arrived at Tanner Medical Center shortly before 12:30 a.m. on July 30 after receiving a call about an 18-year-old with a gunshot wound, who they identified as Anna Jones. The 18-year-old had been rushed to the hospital by some friends where she was later pronounced dead.

Sigman has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm for the death of Anna Jones and is currently at Carroll County Jail. According to CNN, “no bound amount has been listed.”

Dr. Brendan Kelly, the president of the University of West Georgia, said on Saturday, “UWG has terminated the employment of Richard Sigman and continues to work with the city of Carrollton Police Department, which leads this ongoing investigation. On behalf of the university, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to Anna’s family and many friends.”

The Carrollton Police Department encourages anyone with information to contact them at 770-834-4451.