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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4334
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 5:10 pm: | 
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Sitting here listening to the news on WBGO, and I hear a Vice Principal (or Assistant Vice Principal)--Carla Ann Wiggens(?)--in Maplewood was shot by her husband who then turned the gun on himself. She escaped by jumping 12 feet from a balcony and is in critical condition. Don't know which hospital.
How horrible.
Which school is she from? |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3879
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 5:21 pm: |
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Oh my God. I worked with her. She's a wonderful person. She's a vice principal at MMS.
I loved her. I hope she's OK. She's a judicious, hard-working, caring person who was one of the few to be kind to me in the district.
Hang in there Karla.
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Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2742
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 5:37 pm: |
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From nj.com
very very sad
Man, 75, shoots wife, kills himself
Basking Ridge woman listed in critical condition
Monday, August 14, 2006
BY RALPH ORTEGA AND CLAIRE HEININGER
Star-Ledger Staff
A 75-year-old man killed himself after shooting his wife several times in their Basking Ridge condominium yesterday afternoon, authorities said.
The shooting led to a nearly five-hour standoff, which ended when a SWAT team stormed the Crabtree Court dwelling and found the man had turned the gun on himself, Somserset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest said.
The husband was identified by neighbors as Horace Wiggins, a retiree who had moved to Basking Ridge, a section of Bernards Township, from East Orange in 1992, according to mortgage records. His wife, Karla Wiggins, 74, was listed in critical condition at Morristown Memorial Hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She underwent surgery late last night, officials said.
Police said neighbors told them the couple was divorcing, but could not say what sparked yesterday's violence. Authorities would also not identify the couple, though Forrest said he'd received "similar information" about their identities from neighbors in the complex.
"The circumstances that took place today are very sad for this town and for this community," said Somerset County Chief of Detectives Ronald Thornburg.
The 4 p.m. shooting and subse quent stand-off forced the evacua tion of dozens of residents of The Cedars at Basking Ridge, an upscale, 526-unit condominium complex near Lyons Veterans Hospital.
According to preliminary reports, the shooting occurred when Karla Wiggins went with a female friend to her Crabtree Court home to collect some belongings. Inside, she was confronted by Horace Wig gins, who allegedly shot her several times. Karla Wiggins then fell from the condo's second-story balcony.
"Whether she fell off the bal cony, whether being shot propelled her off the balcony, or whether she jumped off for her safety, we just don't know that," Forrest said.
Karla Wiggins' friend called police, while Horace Wiggins barri caded himself inside the home. Police negotiators attempted to talk to Horace Wiggins for more than four hours by bullhorn and over the phone. At one point, negotiators tossed a remote "throw line" into the home, but were still unable to make contact, Forrest said.
At 8:45 p.m., police went into the house and found Horace Wig gins' body.
"The SWAT team entered the residence, went through room by room, and discovered him dead. It appears to be a self-inflicted wound," said Forrest.
Police did not hear any gunshots during the standoff. A handgun was found inside the home, but Forrest said police were not certain it was the one used in the shooting.
The shooting shocked neighbors in the quiet development with its winding cul-de-sacs and carefully landscaped courtyards.
Wendy Braunstein, who lives in the same condo "cluster" as the Wiggins couple, said she'd often see Horace Wiggins in the driveway washing his black Mercedes-Benz, though she hadn't seen Karla Wig gins around the complex in quite some time.
"They really did keep to themselves," Braunstein said.
Gale Braunstein, Wendy Braun stein's sister-in-law and president of the condominium association, also remembered seeing Horace Wiggins at different functions, including a recent complex garage sale.
"He was always fine, nothing out of the ordinary," she said.
Several residents reported hear ing loud booms while enjoying the afternoon in the nearby community pool, but said they had no idea they were gunshots until officers rushed everyone into the clubhouse.
"The police came down and said 'Everybody out. This is not a movie. This is not a movie,'" said Gale Braunstein.
For the next several hours, the frightened residents nervously waited in the clubhouse for the standoff to end.
"We were this close watching," said Randy Amick, as she described SWAT team members run ning past the clubhouse windows. "We were terrified at the begin ning."
The shooting is the second violent tragedy to hit Bernards Township in as many weeks. On Aug. 4, 44-year-old Denise Volpicelli alle gedy suffocated her 12-year-old son in their Basking Ridge home before slashing her wrists, ankles and bi ceps in an attempt to kill herself.
Staff writers Cathy Bugman and Jonathan Casiano contributed to this report.
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breal
Citizen
Username: Breal
Post Number: 987
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 5:49 pm: |
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I can't believe this. Just awful. I hope she makes it. She seemed to me to be in her fifties, not 74. I think they got the age wrong. Maybe she can pull through. What a horror. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4335
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:02 pm: |
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Is she still a Vice Principal? Doesn't say she's retired, but 74? Wow, impressive.
Random acts of violence from otherwise "normal" people are certainly frightening. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3880
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:05 pm: |
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She is not 74. I think they got the numbers reversed. She did not commit any violence, according to the news. She would not. Meand, you didn't accuse her, of course. She is a kind, gentle woman.
I hope she recovers soon. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4336
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:13 pm: |
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Um, tulip, I was referring to her husband--the guy who shot her! He being the supposed "normal" person who commited a horrific random act of violence on someone he supposedly cared about!
Not quite sure how you so extremely misconstrued that one! |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3881
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:17 pm: |
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I knew you meant her husband. That's why I said "you didn't accuse her." I just wanted to clarify, since some things (here and there) get misconstrued on this board, from time to time.
Take my word for it, she's a great person.
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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4337
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:27 pm: |
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Never implied in any way, shape or form that she wasn't a great person. Even took you at your word when you said so. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 3882
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:29 pm: |
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Great. Oh, it is really sad. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1897
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:37 pm: |
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Mrs Wiggins taught my son 7th grade math. I remember her to be enthusiastic, committed and frankly wonderful.
I hope she recovers from this tragedy. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5917
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:59 pm: |
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This is the latest news released five hours ago ( 6pm) about the shooting
Details released from attemped murder/suicide
Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest has released details from Sunday's attempted murder and suicide in Basking Ridge.
Press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office:
Somerville - Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Bernards Township Police Chief Robert Kumpf report that detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad and Bernards Township Police Department investigated the shooting of a Bernards Township woman that occurred on August 13, 2006 at 261 Crabtree Court in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, New Jersey.
Bernards Township Police responded to the residence after receiving 911 calls from neighbors reporting shots fired in the area. After the initial 911 call, they received approximately eleven more calls from residents in the area. Upon arrival in the area, Bernards Township Police discovered the victim, Karla Ann Wiggins (54 years of age and Assistant Principal of Maplewood Middle School), lying on the ground suffering from multiple gun shot wounds. Ms. Wiggins was present with her sister, Kathleen Ridley, who dragged her to safety from the pavement in front of the residence of 261 Crabtree Court. The victim was transported to the Morristown Memorial Hospital where she underwent hours of surgery. As of late last night, the victim was listed in critical, but stable, condition.
Prosecutor Forrest stated that after the initial responding police officers secured the area, the Somerset County S.W.A.T. Team and Hostage/Crisis Negotiators responded. After several attempts to speak with the suspect, identified as Horace Wiggins (75 years of age), by telephone communications, the S.W.A.T. Team tactically entered the residence at approximately 8:35 p.m. Upon entering the residence, the S.W.A.T. Team members discovered the suspect, Horace Wiggins, deceased in the second floor master bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum handgun was also discovered on the floor of the master bedroom approximately three feet from Wiggins' body. The scene was than turned over to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad and Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I.) Unit. The Regional Medical Examiner also responded and transported Mr. Wiggins' body to their offices in Newark in order to conduct an autopsy.
Prosecutor Forrest stated that after interviewing several witnesses and examining the crime scene, detectives have determined that the victim, Karla Ann Wiggins, was shot by her estranged husband, Horace Wiggins, while she was in the master bedroom attempting to remove clothes from the residence. Karla Ann Wiggins then fled the home by jumping from the approximately 12-foot high second floor balcony attached to the master bedroom, to the pavement below. The victim was than escorted to safety by her sister, Kathleen Ridley of Vaux Hall, NJ. It appears that a short time later Horace Wiggins then took his own life with a single gunshot to his chest from the same weapon used to shoot his wife.
After interviewing relatives of the victim, detectives learned that the victim separated from her husband approximately two weeks prior to this incident. Karla Ann Wiggins was temporarily living with family and friends during this period of separation. She was at the residence on this day to retrieve personal belongings. During these family interviews, it was also learned that Horace Wiggins had contacted a family member advising them he shot his estranged wife and intended to shoot himself.
Detectives contacted Morristown Memorial Hospital early on this date and were advised the victim’s status remains the same. Detectives were also advised that the victim sustained numerous injuries from both being shot twice and from jumping from the balcony. The victim was shot once in the abdominal area. Doctors were able to remove that projectile which was turned over to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, Forensics Laboratory, Firearms and Ballistics Unit for testing. The victim was also shot once in the right hand; however, the projectile exited her right hand, entered her left wrist, traveled up her left arm and exited through her upper left arm. C.S.I. Unit personnel recovered, what is believed to be, this projectile on the floor of the master bedroom. The victim also sustained cuts and abrasions from her fall from the balcony.
An autopsy was conducted today by the Regional Medical Examiner on Horace Wiggins. The cause of death was listed as a single gunshot wound to the chest. The manner of death was suicide. The Medical Examiner also removed a projectile from Wiggins, which was turned over to C.S.I. detectives for further analysis by the Somerset County Firearms Laboratory, Firearms and Ballistic Unit.
Prosecutor Forrest and Chief Kumpf request that if anyone has any information to contact either the Bernards Township Police Department at (908) 766-1122, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Squad at (908) 575-3300 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers TIPS Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All calls are confidential.
from the Courier News website www.c-n.com
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5918
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 11:10 pm: |
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According to the Maplewood Middle School Website Ms Wiggins is still the Vice Principal. I hope the district brings in Counselors for the students no matter what happens.
Dave if possible will you please move this thread out of Soapbox? Maybe it should be under the Maplewood Topic. Soapbox is known for debates, not something as heart wrenching as this. I'm sure there are people who don't venture into Soapbox who would want to know. Thanks |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1901
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 11:15 pm: |
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Maybe under education since we know her as a South Orange Middle school teacher? |
John James Leuchs Jr
Citizen
Username: Clairvoyant
Post Number: 126
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 11:25 pm: |
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Besides Karla whom many of us have had the pleasure of working with, Kathleen Ridley, her sister, worked at the Board Office for many years. She is the one who pulled Karla to safety. Karla has so many talents including drama. She was one of the directors of the SOMS productions before becoming a vice principal. |
Suzanne Ng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 896
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 12:05 am: |
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Hoops, maybe you meant that we know her as an MMS teacher?
Someone , (Jennifer) posted in Virtual Cafe , about this tragic incident.
Perhaps both threads could be combined into one, and placed in a more appropriate section?
While I did not know Mrs Wiggins, (and also did not know Ms Ridley was her sister), my prayers and thoughts are with the family during this time. |
John James Leuchs Jr
Citizen
Username: Clairvoyant
Post Number: 128
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 12:18 am: |
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Suzanne, Hoops meant that she taught mathematics at SOMS before becoming a vice principal at MMS. |
Suzanne Ng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 897
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 6:06 am: |
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thanks. JJL -- I've only been in-district 11 years, so was unaware of her previous experience at SOMS. |
Nancy - LibraryLady
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3802
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 - 7:05 am: |
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Not seeing this , I posted in the Ed and Maplewood threads. I originally saw the article and assumed it was a different Karla Wiggins because they didn't mention MMS and they said she was 74. Today's Star-Ledger had a correction for her age (54). Just awful, awful news. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1863
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 8:17 am: |
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I just saw her pic in my sons SOMS yearbook (2002). How sad. I wish her a speedy recovery. |
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