A Columbus State University (CSU) theatre professor was tragically killed in a case of mistaken identity at her home in Columbus, Georgia, on Monday evening. Erica Anderson, 41, was shot by her roommate who mistook her for an intruder. Anderson, who was also dealing with her husband’s ongoing cancer battle, had recently joined the faculty at CSU’s Department of Theatre & Dance.
Anderson was a lecturer in costume design and managed the university’s costume shop. She had just returned to her rented room in Georgia after visiting her husband and children in Indiana. The Muscogee County Coroner, Buddy Bryan, confirmed that Anderson was fatally shot at her residence.
The roommate, whose identity remains undisclosed, had been living in a state of heightened fear due to ongoing threats from her son. These threats included potential physical harm and arson, which had left the roommate on high alert.
On the night of the incident, the roommate was awakened by the sound of the door opening. Believing it to be an intruder, she grabbed her pistol and fired two shots in the hallway, one of which fatally struck Anderson. The authorities quickly ruled the incident as an accidental death.
Bryan expressed his sympathy for the roommate, acknowledging the devastation she must be feeling under such circumstances. Anderson’s untimely death has left a profound impact on her family and the university community.
CSU President Stuart Rayfield released a statement acknowledging Anderson’s contributions to the university and the theatre industry. He extended his condolences to her family, friends, and the students she had impacted during her time at the university.
Before joining CSU, Anderson had taught at Southern Utah University and the University of Florida. She had also worked in theaters and opera houses across the country, including the Sarasota Opera and Indiana Repertory Theatre. Anderson is survived by her husband, who is currently undergoing cancer treatments, and their three children.