Fundraiser helping family of Columbus State professor who died in shooting
A fundraiser has been established to help the family of a Columbus State University professor who was fatally shot.
Erica Bascom Anderson, 31, was killed in what Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan called an accidental shooting at a Lakebottom neighborhood residence in the 1600 block of 17th Avenue.
The Columbus Police Department reported on its X account Monday that the CPD Violent Crimes Unit is investigating the overnight shooting. CPD hasn’t released any additional details about the incident.
Anderson joined the CSU faculty this summer. She was a lecturer in the CSU Department of Theatre & Dance, teaching costume classes and supervising the costume shop.
As of Tuesday evening, 74 donors had contributed $4,750 toward the $16,000 goal since Keri Dattilo created the account Monday on GoFundMe.com.
“At this time, it appears to have been a terrible accident, though the investigation is still ongoing,” Dattil wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Professor ‘passionate’ about her work
Dattilo described Anderson as “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.”
“Erica leaves behind her loving husband, Andy, and their three beautiful children — Jade, Noah, and Sky — all in Indianapolis,” Dattilo wrote. “Andy is currently undergoing cancer treatments, which makes this loss even more devastating for their family.”
Donations will help pay for the funeral arrangements and other expenses, Dattilo said.
“We’re asking for your support to help ease some of the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time,” Dattilo wrote. “… More than anything, please keep Andy, Jade, Noah and Sky in your thoughts and prayers. Your kindness, generosity, and love mean more than words can express.”
Who was Erica Bascom Anderson?
According to CSU’s website, Anderson previously taught at Southern Utah University and the University of Florida and worked for the Sarasota Opera, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Theatre and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees on touring Broadway shows.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a dance concentration at Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in costume design and technology from the University of Florida.
