Household and associates of a Georgia theater professor who was fatally shot this week stated they’re in shock and trying to find solutions over the “mindless loss” of the mom of three, described by family members as a inventive artist and vivid gentle.
Erica Anderson, 41, was shot and killed early Monday at a residence in Columbus, a spokesperson for the Columbus Police Division confirmed to ABC Information. The taking pictures stays beneath investigation and police will not be releasing any additional particulars right now, the spokesperson stated.
Erica Anderson is seen in an undated photograph.
Courtesty of the Anderson household
Anderson had began a brand new job this fall as a professor at Columbus State College, the place she was a lecturer in costume within the college’s Division of Theatre & Dance. She had simply returned to Columbus after visiting her household, who stay in Indianapolis, and to assist her husband, Andy, get better following surgical procedure for prostate most cancers when she was killed, associates stated.
“We’re devastated and heartbroken past phrases by the tragic and mindless lack of our beloved spouse and mom, Erica Anderson,” her household stated in a press release on Wednesday. “Our household continues to be in shock as we attempt to comprehend how one thing so horrific might occur.”
Anderson leaves behind two boys, ages 9 and 10, she had along with her husband, in addition to a 16-year-old daughter, her associates stated. She was “taken from us far too quickly at solely 41 years outdated in an act of violence that by no means ought to have occurred,” her household stated.
“She was a unprecedented girl whose love, creativity, and light-weight crammed each room she entered,” her household stated. “Her youngsters have misplaced their mom far too early, and we’re struggling to think about a world with out her love, steerage, and devotion.”
The Andersons’ neighbors in Indianapolis stated they have been surprised to study of her dying and have unanswered questions amid the continuing police investigation. Although one neighbor, Ben James, informed ABC Information that the response has been, “This did not have to occur, this was avoidable.”
His spouse, Betsy James, stated the group has been rallying to help the household, particularly as Anderson’s husband is battling most cancers.
“I feel you go from shock and grief to logistical mode — how can we now simply assist with all of the little selections that must be made,” she informed ABC Information.
John “Andy” Anderson and Erica Anderson are seen in an undated photograph.
Courtesty of the Anderson household
Neighbors have organized meal trains and helped arrange a GoFundMe to help the household, which has to date raised over $16,000.
“I am actually speechless and overwhelmed and I really feel like my religion in humanity has been restored by the kindness and the generosity of those that really feel compelled to help the household in any method, form or trend,” Keri Dattilo, one other neighbor of the Andersons, informed ABC Information.
Dattilo remembered Anderson as a “lovely spirit” with a “vivid gentle.”
“She was variety. She was pal. She was mother. And she or he was extremely inventive,” she stated. “She had this present for the humanities.”
Anderson would run artwork camps for the kids within the neighborhood, sew stuffed animals for her children and “simply used her creativity to assist unfold pleasure and love,” Betsy James stated.
Previous to becoming a member of Columbus State, Anderson taught costumes at Southern Utah College and the College of Florida and had labored in theaters and opera homes throughout the nation, together with the Sarasota Opera and Indiana Repertory Theatre, in accordance with the college.
It was a “powerful alternative” however she took the job in Columbus as a result of it appeared like alternative for her and her household, Dattilo stated. A number of neighbors gathered along with her whereas she was on the town this previous weekend and have been planning after they would see her subsequent, Dattilo stated.
“We laughed a lot and simply had one of the best time,” Betsy James stated. “We have been all actually glad that we had these very nice final moments along with her.”
Dattilo stated she hopes investigators are in a position to present solutions for the household “in order that they’ve peace of their coronary heart finally.”
“She had a lot extra to offer to her household, to her associates, to her college students, and to the theater group she cared for therefore deeply,” her household stated of their assertion. “Our hearts are shattered realizing her life was reduce quick when she had a lot extra to supply the world.”
