A University of West Georgia professor was arrested in connection to the murder of a female student.
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Authorities identified the student as 18-year-old Anna Jones, who was driven to a local hospital hours before death. Professor Richard Sigman reportedly got into a verbal altercation with another man at a local venue called Leopoldo’s and threatened to shoot him during the argument. According to police, Sigman was told to leave after security noticed he had a weapon. After leaving the venue, he started walking toward a parking deck and fired multiple shots into a parked car.
Police later confirmed that Jones was killed during the shooting in a statement.
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The University of West Georgia released a statement in the wake of the shooting and said Sigman was immediately fired due to the case.
“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. UWG has terminated Richard Sigman’s employment and continues working 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,” said Dr. Brendan Kelly, UWG’s president. “We know this news is difficult to process and affects many members of our university community. We ask that you keep Anna’s family, friends, and all who have been touched by this tragedy in your thoughts during this tremendously difficult time.” Counseling and support services are available to all UWG students, faculty, and staff. Resources may be found at westga.edu/wellness. Students may call the UWG Counseling Center 24/7 by calling 678-839-6428 and selecting option 2.”
Before the case, students in Signman’s previous classes left reviews about his work ethic as a professor on the website, RateMyProfessor. But in the wake of the shooting, reviews were less than favorable.
“He is a good professor. He teaches based on his experience and tests you based on the book and he expects you to pass. Do not take this class, take it online and not in person. I promise you that you will fail.”
“Professor is very accessible outside of class, but he has a habit of shooting and killing his students, so be careful.”
“The man just sh0t and terminated the life of a student at the Adamson square, so yeah, take his class at your own risk”
According to the website’s profile of Signman, he worked in the university’s management department.
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He worked at the University of West Georgia for nine years and started his career as a professor in 2012. His previous jobs included working as a financial advisor for Wells Fargo and owning his own real estate company from 2002 to 2011.
The university said in a statement that they are working with the police in the ongoing investigation.