Georgia
Suspect charged after Georgia college student fatally shot on campus, officials say
ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – A Georgia man is charged with murder after a Kennesaw State University student was shot and killed on campus.
The victim’s family and the university identified her as 21-year-old Alasia Franklin. She is described as outgoing and caring, and she had aspirations of becoming a nurse practitioner, WANF reports.
“She was very determined. Her purpose was to speak up for people who were afraid to speak up for themselves,” said Anthony Harrison, a friend who worked with Franklin in student government. “She was such an important figure within this university. We can’t let this go.”
The shooting happened Saturday afternoon in front of the Austin Residence Complex on the Kennesaw campus. Police say there was an argument, and shots were fired.
Harrison says he was taking a nap when the shooting happened right outside his window. He says he heard seven or eight gunshots and saw Franklin’s body.
“We need to advocate for her and make sure that she gets the true justice that she deserves because nobody ever deserves to go out the way that she did,” Harrison said.
In response to the shooting, the school was put on lockdown for about 30 minutes.
Cobb County Police located and arrested the suspect, identifed as Samuel Harris, shortly after the incident, university officials said. He is not a Kennesaw State student.
“He just came in on campus and did something so senseless,” Harrison said. “It’s just insane.”
The suspect is being charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
University officials say counseling services and resources will be available to all those affected by Franklin’s death.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” said KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig in a statement.
The KSU Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are collaborating on the investigation.
Copyright 2024 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. — Animal shelters in Northwest Georgia are running out of space, with Catoosa and Walker County unable to take in more animals as the number of strays rises during the summer months.
Catoosa County officials say the county’s animal shelter is maxed out and can no longer accept animals.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
The shelter has room for 80 pets but is currently over capacity, limiting how much it can help when large animal rescues happen in nearby areas.
“I can’t speak for everybody, but I can say that working in animal care, summertime is definitely one of the worst times for us and for the animals more,” Abby Lynch, the community outreach and kennel officer for the Catoosa County Animal Shelter says.
Catoosa County officials say summer is when dogs and cats breed because the weather is nice, leading to more strays than usual.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
The Walker County Animal Shelter is also dealing with capacity issues.
The shelter says it has brought in 73 animals since the beginning of July.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
“In that same time, we have done 28 adoptions, which 28 adoptions in two weeks sounds great. But when you’re doing the math of 73 animals in and 28 animals going out, not super great,” says Melissa Smith, director of the Walker County Animal Shelter.
Catoosa County has helped neighboring counties during past crises.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
“We’ve assisted Dade County in the past with similar situations, and that’s when really rescues and shelters help each other,” says Dylan McColollum, director of Catoosa County Animal Control.
Dade County only got an animal shelter this year.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
In Georgia, only 61 out of 159 counties have animal shelters, making it more important for shelters to have enough capacity to help their own communities and assist neighboring counties when needed.
“We’re just grateful that we have our own shelter and can take care of our our county and its needs, and we’re happy to assist if other counties need our assistance,” McColollum says.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
Adoptions at the Catoosa County Animal Shelter are currently free because of donors. See available animals here.
They were designed to hold a drink, but cups produced in Rome, Georgia, have become one of the FIFA Men’s World Cup’s most unexpected souvenirs.
Inside the Top Cup plant in Rome, millions of cups were created to celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event.
“We made 10 million over 70 different graphics for the World Cup,” said Rome native and Top Cup General Manager Zach Dixon.
The plant in north Georgia produces up to 750,000 cups a day.
“We’ve always been really proud of the cup … but the World Cup has obviously taken it to another level,” said Top Cup CEO David Cuthbert.
Fans have been taking them home from matches. Some have even been listed for sale online.
“We’ve always been really proud of the cup… but the World Cup has obviously taken it to another level,” said Cuthbert.
Dixon said they begin the process with massive coils of aluminum, each weighing about 30,000 pounds. The metal is stamped, stretched, washed, and moved down the line.
The plant produces about 1,100 cups every minute.
Ricardo Marques, the senior vice president of marketing for Michelob ULTRA, said that there have been venue-specific, match-specific, and Finals-specific stadium cups for the World Cup. There are also three separate red, white, and blue designs available for fans at bars and restaurants around the U.S.
“We’ve seen an incredible response to the collection. Together, these commemorative cups give fans a unique keepsake and a lasting reminder of an unforgettable FIFA World Cup experience and the moments that brought millions of people together through the world’s game,” Marques said.
Cuthbert said his company has seen how the World Cup has done wonders for metro Atlanta businesses.
“Our team in Rome, Georgia takes tremendous pride in helping bring this fan experience to life for one of the world’s biggest sporting events,” he said.
So when soccer fans celebrate the surprise victory or mourn their last-minute loss, they’re doing so with a little piece of Georgia.
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