One of the victims of a Monday school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, graduated from high school in Cobb County and was a Kennesaw State University alumna.
KSU confirmed that Erin West, 42, received a degree in early childhood education from the university in 2005.
She was one of two people killed at Abundant Life Christian School earlier this week, where according to the school she had been a substitute teacher for three years before accepting a staff position. The other victim was Rubi P. Vergara, a 14-year-old student.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Erin West, a KSU alumna whose life was taken far too soon in an act of senseless violence. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who are mourning this unimaginable tragedy,” KSU said in a statement.
According to ALCS, West’s staff position as a substitute coordinator and in-building substitute teacher had been “tailor made for her abundant skills and breadth of knowledge.”
“ALCS is a better school for the work of Erin West,” the school said in a statement. “She served our teachers and students with grace, humor, wisdom, and — most importantly — with the love of Jesus. Her loss is a painful and deep one and she will be greatly missed not just among our staff, but our entire ALCS family.”
According to an online obituary from a local funeral home, West graduated from Cobb County’s Harrison High School in 2000 and got married in Powder Springs in 2005.
A Cobb County School District spokesperson confirmed in a statement that West attended Harrison High School.
“Our hearts hurt following the tragic loss of Harrison graduate Erin West, whose passing has shaken our community and beyond. We will keep her family, friends, and entire school community in our thoughts as they navigate this heartbreaking time,” reads the statement.
She is survived by her husband and three daughters.
“Erin enjoyed family camping trips, attending school sporting events, serving at Doxa Church, and spending time with her daughters and the rest of her family,” reads the obituary.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday at Doxa Church in Madison.
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