Campus Alert Archive
AU

Employee fatally shot by her spouse in a nursing home parking lot; campuses locked down

AI-generated · every claim is source-linked
GAshootingemergency notificationmedium confidence
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Confirmed Threat

On the morning of February 9, 2018, shortly before 11:30 AM EST, Richard Timmons Jr. fatally shot his wife, a 34-year-old nursing home employee, in the parking lot of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home at 1101 15th Street, a facility under the Augusta University Health umbrella on the main AU Health campus. Augusta University and nearby Paine College both went on lockdown when the call came in as an active-shooter report. The all-clear was issued at approximately 12:20 PM EST after police determined the attack was a targeted domestic-violence shooting and the suspect had fled.

Alerts
3
Response
14 min
Killed
1
Injured
0
Institution
Augusta University
Public R2 · GA
All AU cases →
AU Alert
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence · 2 verified verbatim

Some messages in this sequence are documented (their existence, timing, and channel are sourced) but their exact wording is not preserved in the public record. Those entries appear as placeholders; only confirmed text is displayed.

INITIAL ALERTPhone
Verified verbatimWFXG and WRDW quoting verbatim the Augusta University voice/phone alert sent at 11:37 AM EST on February 9, 2018139 chars
An active shooter event occurred at GA War Veteran the suspect is still out please stay away from the area and shelter yourselves this time
Verbatim recovery: this phone/voice alert is reproduced word-for-word, with its grammatical errors preserved, by two independent Augusta-market outlets (WFXG and WRDW); the broken phrasing ('the suspect is still out', 'shelter yourselves this time') is a strong authenticity marker of a rapidly composed AU Alert voice message.
The alert went out at 11:37 AM EST, about 14 minutes after the 11:23 AM EST call to AU police and roughly 7 minutes after the victim was pronounced dead at the scene; AU later acknowledged the 'active shooter' framing was an over-broad classification of a targeted domestic-violence shooting.
Augusta University and neighboring Paine College both went on lockdown when this active-shooter alert was issued.
UPDATEEmail+28 min
Verified verbatimWJBF (NewsChannel 6) quoting the verbatim Augusta University Health notification sent at approximately 12:05 PM EST on February 9, 2018213 chars
There has been a shooting at the Ga War Nursing Home. It appears this was a domestic violence targeted attack. Multiple police agencies are responding. We are no longer treating this as an active shooter incident.
The notification went out at approximately 12:05 PM EST, about 28 minutes after the 11:37 AM EST 'active shooter' voice alert, reflecting the time needed to establish that the shooter had fled and the attack was targeted.
AU Health characterized the incident as 'domestic violence' and 'targeted' in this update, a framing choice that signals to recipients that a campus-wide active-shooter response is not required.
The notification explicitly de-escalated ('We are no longer treating this as an active shooter incident') quoted verbatim by WJBF, a rare instance of an alert documenting the moment a campus reclassifies an active-shooter report as a targeted domestic-violence crime.
ALL CLEAREmail+43 min
Wording not preserved
A all clear message is documented at this point in the sequence, but its exact wording is not preserved in the public record. The public edition displays only confirmed alert text.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

An active shooter event occurred at GA War Veteran the suspect is still out please stay away from the area and shelter yourselves this time

  • Sourceabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that no sender is identified; no branded tag, institution name, or named agency appears in the message.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: No branded tag, university self-naming, or named agency identifies the sender.
    2. absent: No branded tag, institution name, or agency identifies who issued the message.
    3. absent: No sender, branded tag, or issuing authority is identified in the message.
    4. absent: No sender tag, agency, or self-naming institution appears; the message is unattributed.
    5. absent: No sender, branded tag, or named authority appears in the text.
    6. absent: No branded tag or issuing authority identifies itself as the sender of this message.
    7. absent: No sender tag, agency, or institution naming itself appears in the alert text.
    8. absent: No branded tag, institution name, or named authority identifies the sender.
    9. absent: No branded tag, institution name, or named agency identifies the sender.
    10. absent: No sender tag, institution name, or agency identifies who issued this message.
    11. absent: No sender tag, branded signature, university self-naming, or named agency appears in the text.
    12. absent: No sender, agency, or branded signature appears in the text.
    13. absent: No branded tag, agency, or institution names itself in the text.
    14. absent: No sender tag, branded signature, institution name, or named authority appears.
    15. absent: No sender tag, agency, or university self-naming appears in the text.
    16. absent: No sender tag, agency, or institution names itself in the text.
    17. absent: No sender tag, agency, or institution names itself as the issuer of the message.
    18. absent: No sender tag, agency, or university name appears in the text.
    19. absent: No sender, branded tag, university name, or agency identifies who issued this message.
    20. absent: No sender tag, institution name, or agency identifies who issued the message.
    21. absent: No sender tag, university name, or named authority appears in the text.
    22. absent: No branded tag, institution name, or named agency identifies the sender of the message.
    23. absent: No branded tag, institution name, or named agency identifies the sender.
    24. absent: No sender tag, agency, or institution names itself in the text.
    25. absent: No sender tag, agency, or institution names itself in the text.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All reads agree a specific hazard is named, an active shooter event with the suspect still out.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names a specific threat, an active shooter event, with the suspect still out.
    2. present: It names "An active shooter event" and "the suspect," a specific threat.
    3. present: It names the specific hazard, an "active shooter event".
    4. present: Names the specific hazard "An active shooter event" with a suspect "still out".
    5. present: It names "An active shooter event", a specific threat.
    6. present: It names an active shooter event, a specific hazard.
    7. present: It states an active shooter event occurred, a specific hazard.
    8. present: Names 'An active shooter event', a specific threat.
    9. present: It names "An active shooter event" and "the suspect", a specific threat.
    10. present: Names an active shooter event, a specific threat.
    11. present: It names "An active shooter event," a specific threat.
    12. present: Names "An active shooter event", a specific threat.
    13. present: Names hazard "An active shooter event", a specific threat.
    14. present: It names an active shooter event and a suspect still out, a specific threat.
    15. present: It names "an active shooter event", a specific threat.
    16. present: Names 'An active shooter event' and a 'suspect', a specific threat.
    17. present: Names "An active shooter event", a specific threat.
    18. present: It names "An active shooter event" and "the suspect", a specific threat.
    19. present: It names a specific threat "An active shooter event".
    20. present: It says 'An active shooter event occurred', a specific hazard.
    21. present: It names "An active shooter event", a specific hazard.
    22. present: It names "An active shooter event" and a "suspect", a specific hazard.
    23. present: Names the specific threat "An active shooter event".
    24. present: Names an active shooter event, a specific threat.
    25. present: Names 'An active shooter event', a specific hazard.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All reads agree a specific location is given, naming GA War Veteran and the area.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It locates it at GA War Veteran and references the area.
    2. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area," specific locations.
    3. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area", locations.
    4. present: Names "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific places.
    5. present: It cites "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific locations.
    6. present: It names GA War Veteran and the area, specific locations.
    7. present: It names GA War Veteran and the area, a specific location.
    8. present: Names 'GA War Veteran' and 'the area', specific locations.
    9. present: It locates it "at GA War Veteran" and "the area".
    10. present: Names GA War Veteran and the area, locations.
    11. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area," specific places.
    12. present: Names "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific locations.
    13. present: Names "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific locations.
    14. present: It cites GA War Veteran and the area as the location.
    15. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific locations.
    16. present: Specifies 'GA War Veteran' and 'the area'.
    17. present: Says "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific locations.
    18. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area".
    19. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area".
    20. present: It names 'GA War Veteran' and 'the area', specific places.
    21. present: It names "GA War Veteran" and "the area", specific locations.
    22. present: It specifies "GA War Veteran" and "the area", a location.
    23. present: Names "GA War Veteran" and "the area" as locations.
    24. present: Names GA War Veteran and the area.
    25. present: Says 'at GA War Veteran' and 'the area', specific places.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All reads agree protective guidance is present, instructing recipients to stay away from the area and shelter themselves.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It instructs recipients to stay away from the area and shelter themselves.
    2. present: It instructs to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves," protective actions.
    3. present: It instructs people to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    4. present: Instructs to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    5. present: It tells people to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    6. present: It tells recipients to stay away from the area and shelter yourselves, protective actions.
    7. present: It tells recipients to stay away from the area and shelter yourselves, protective actions.
    8. present: Instructs 'stay away from the area and shelter yourselves', protective actions.
    9. present: It instructs "please stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    10. present: Tells people to stay away from the area and shelter yourselves, protective actions.
    11. present: It instructs recipients to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves," protective actions.
    12. present: Instructs "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    13. present: Instructs "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    14. present: It instructs people to stay away from the area and shelter yourselves.
    15. present: It instructs people to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    16. present: Instructs 'stay away from the area and shelter yourselves'.
    17. present: Instructs recipients to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves".
    18. present: It instructs people to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    19. present: It instructs recipients to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    20. present: It instructs 'stay away from the area and shelter yourselves', protective actions.
    21. present: It instructs "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    22. present: It tells people "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves", protective actions.
    23. present: Instructs recipients to "stay away from the area and shelter yourselves".
    24. present: Instructs to stay away from the area and shelter yourselves.
    25. present: Instructs 'stay away from the area and shelter yourselves', protective actions.
  • Timepresent23/25

    Final assessment

    Strong majority finds timing present, citing recency cues such as this time and still out; two dissenters call that wording too vague.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The phrase this time conveys a present recency cue about staying away.
    2. absent: It says "this time," which is vague and not a clear clock time, date, or now or immediately.
    3. present: It says "is still out" and "this time", recency cues conveying ongoing status.
    4. present: Says "this time" and the suspect is "still out", conveying current recency.
    5. present: "this time" conveys a recency cue.
    6. present: It says this time and still out, recency cues.
    7. present: It uses this time, a recency cue conveying immediacy.
    8. present: Says suspect 'is still out' and 'this time', recency cues indicating an ongoing situation now.
    9. present: It uses "this time" and "still out", recency cues conveying the ongoing present.
    10. present: Says this time, a recency cue about when.
    11. present: "this time" and "still out" convey recency of the ongoing situation.
    12. present: Uses "earlier"-style "this time" and "still out", conveying ongoing recency.
    13. present: Says "earlier" via "occurred" and "this time", recency cues indicating timing.
    14. present: The phrase this time conveys recency about the current moment.
    15. present: It says "this time" and that the suspect "is still out", recency cues.
    16. present: Uses 'this time' and 'still out', recency cues.
    17. present: Says "this time" and "still out", recency cues present.
    18. present: "earlier"-style "occurred", "still out", and "this time" convey recency.
    19. present: It uses "earlier" implied by past event and "this time" plus "still out" indicating ongoing recency.
    20. present: It says 'still out' and 'this time', recency cues conveying ongoing timing.
    21. present: It says "this time" and "still out", present recency cues.
    22. present: "still out" and "this time" convey recency about the ongoing threat.
    23. absent: "this time" is vague and "still out" is status; no clock time, date, or "now".
    24. present: Says this time, conveying present recency.
    25. present: Says 'still out' and 'this time', conveying recency.
  • Impactpresent24/25

    Final assessment

    Present by a near-unanimous 24 to 1 majority: an active shooter event with the suspect still out and shelter guidance conveys an ongoing threat of harm to people.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Reports an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, conveying danger.
    2. present: States an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, implying lethal danger.
    3. present: It reports an active shooter event with the suspect still out and tells people to shelter, conveying ongoing danger.
    4. present: It reports an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, implying a clear danger to people.
    5. absent: Reports an active shooter event with suspect still out but states no specific harm or casualties.
    6. present: It reports an active shooter event occurred and says shelter yourselves, implying serious danger.
    7. present: Reports an active shooter event and says shelter because the suspect is still out, conveying danger.
    8. present: Reports an active shooter event occurred with suspect still out and says shelter, implying lethal danger.
    9. present: Reports an active shooter event and that the suspect is still out, telling people to shelter, conveying danger.
    10. present: Reports an active shooter event with the suspect still out and tells people to stay away and shelter, implying danger.
    11. present: States an active shooter event occurred and that the suspect is still out, with shelter instruction implying danger to people.
    12. present: Reports an active shooter event and instructs people to shelter for safety, implying danger.
    13. present: Reports an active shooter event with the suspect still out and tells people to shelter implying danger.
    14. present: States an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, urging people to shelter, an explicit harm.
    15. present: It reports an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, conveying ongoing lethal danger.
    16. present: Reports an active shooter event occurred with the suspect still out, implying ongoing danger.
    17. present: Reports an active shooter event and directs people to shelter, implying danger to people.
    18. present: Reports an active shooter event with the suspect still out and tells people to shelter, conveying ongoing danger.
    19. present: It states an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, advising people to stay away and shelter, implying a stated danger.
    20. present: Reports an active shooter event occurred and tells people to shelter, conveying lethal danger and harm.
    21. present: Reports an active shooter event with the suspect still out and instructs sheltering, conveying danger to people.
    22. present: It reports an active shooter event that occurred with the suspect still out and tells people to shelter, conveying clear danger.
    23. present: Reports an active shooter event occurred with the suspect still out, implying ongoing lethal danger.
    24. present: States an active shooter event occurred and the suspect is still out, conveying lethal danger.
    25. present: It reports an active shooter event with the suspect still out and tells people to shelter, conveying danger.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Augusta University Health is the academic medical system of Augusta University (formerly Georgia Health Sciences University), Georgia's only public academic health center. The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home at 1101 15th Street NW, Augusta, is operated under the AU Health umbrella on the main AU Health campus, placing it within the institution's Clery geography. The AJC reported that Richard Lyle Timmons Jr. shot his wife, a nursing home employee, in the parking lot on the morning of February 9, 2018. The call came in as an active-shooter report. WJBF reported that Augusta University and Paine College both issued lockdown alerts and that the AU notification at about 12:05 PM EST characterized the incident as a targeted domestic violence attack. The all-clear went out at approximately 12:20 PM EST, with no evidence the suspect remained in the area. Timmons fled to Texas, where the U.S. Marshals Service helped apprehend him. The AU Bell Ringer student newspaper reported that Timmons was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in May 2019.
Analysis

Key Findings

A parking-lot femicide in an AU Health-affiliated nursing home triggered lockdowns at an academic medical center and a neighboring HBCU (Paine College), illustrating how a domestic-violence incident at one campus building can cascade across an urban academic district
AU's first alert at 11:37 AM EST on February 9, 2018 was an 'active shooter' voice message ('the suspect is still out...shelter yourselves'); about 28 minutes later a follow-up reclassified the incident as a targeted domestic-violence attack, a documented over-broad-then-corrected notification sequence
The all-clear was issued at approximately 12:20 PM EST, about 43 minutes after the initial alert and 15 minutes after the reclassification update, once the suspect's departure from campus was established
The suspect fled to Texas and was not apprehended until after the lockdown was lifted, meaning the all-clear was issued while the suspect remained at large
Outcome
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:30 AM EST on February 9, 2018. Richard Timmons Jr. fled to Texas, where he was apprehended with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison on May 16, 2019. No other injuries occurred.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Local schools put on lockdown during active shooter situation in Augusta
    wjbf.com
    archived copy
  2. News
    Coroner: 1 dead after shooting at Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home
    cbsnews.com
    archived copy
  3. News
    Woman fatally shot at veterans nursing home in Augusta
    ajc.com
    archived copy
  4. News
    Man accused of shooting wife at Georgia nursing home captured in Texas
    ajc.com
    archived copy
  5. Student Paper
    Man who murdered wife outside Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home receives life sentence
    aubellringer.com
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Augusta University: Employee fatally shot by her spouse in a nursing home parking lot; campuses locked down." Incident of February 9, 2018. Added May 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/augusta-university-health-nursing-home-lockdown-2018-02-09/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
shootingdomestic-violencehospitalacademic-health-centergeorgiaaugustanursing-homelockdownfemicideemergency-notification
Added May 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion