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Roberson appears before judge after shooting
roberson-magistrate

The man arrested for shooting his wife and 10-year old stepdaughter appeared in front of a Rockdale County Magistrate Court judge on Wednesday for his first court appearance since Tuesday's shooting.

Terrence Sherrod Roberson, 36, was read his charges of two counts of aggravated assault by Judge Garland Moore, the highest charge he could be given before murder. There is no charge of attempted murder in Georgia.

Roberson was not granted a bond hearing since he was on probation for a January 2010 domestic violence incident reportedly involving a fight with his 16-year-old stepson in Newton County. He will have until noon on Friday to submit a petition for bond.

At CJ Hicks Elementary, where the victim Kimya Roberson was a kindergarten teacher, and at Lorraine Elementary, where 10-year-old victim Corinne Williams was a fifth grader, counselors were on hand Tuesday as the community was shocked by the news.

Dr. Sherrod Willaford, principal of C.J. Hicks Elementary School, released a statement: “The C.J. Hicks family has been shaken with the tragedy surrounding one of our teachers and her daughter. We are praying for their full and speedy recovery. Ms. Roberson is a kind, caring person who builds a special connection with her students and parents. She is also a leader in the building who is always willing to assist her co-workers and share her professionalism in teaching.”

Dr. David Ray, principal of Lorraine Elementary School, said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and pray for a full recovery for our LES family members... We are maintaining our educational focus while we continue to have the family in our thoughts and prayers.” 

Terrence and Kimya, 38, had been separated for a year after several years of marriage. He had reportedly been abusive towards her during the marriage.

Kimya normally dropped off her daughter, Corinne Williams, at Little Mountain Christian Academy in Rockdale County around 6:25 a.m. for a bus to pick her up at 6:44 a.m. to take the girl to Lorraine Elementary School.

This Tuesday, Kimya did the same, but this time, according to Rockdale County Sheriff's Lt. Matt Wolfe, Terrence was driving by.

Terrence had driven up early that morning from his mother's house where he was staying in Wheeler County, south of Macon, after learning from friends that Kimya had filed for divorce.

Terrence's mother reported later that morning that her car, a white Saturn, and a .38 caliber revolver were missing from her house at around 2 a.m. The report wasn't filed until 7 a.m. in Wheeler County.

Terrence approached Kimya in the drop-off area of the day care center as she was taking the child out of the car. He approached the car and fired, emptying the handgun.

Kimya was shot in the face and torso and Corinne was hit in the head. After the shooting, Kimya came into the daycare's office to report the shooting and Terrence fled in the white Saturn.

According to Wolfe, Corinne remains in critical condition at Egleston Hospital and Kimya is recovering at Atlanta Medical.

Roberson reportedly showed signs of remorse when he talked with investigators about shooting the child.

"You could tell the difference when you spoke about the child versus when you spoke about (his wife) getting shot," said Wolfe.

Investigators are determining if it was a premediated act. Wolfe said Roberson had called Kimya "an awful lot."

Terrence, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound, out of work construction worker, had been living in a halfway house off of Ga. 20 before moving back in with his parents in Wheeler County.

The weapon was found in the white Saturn Terrence was driving Tuesday when he turned himself into the Newton County Sheriff's office. He had also reportedly stopped by Home Depot before turning himself in.

"He just walked into the sheriff's office and said 'I need to turn myself in, I shot someone,'" Shupe said.

Terrence had a prior arrest for aggravated assault of Kimya's 16-year-old son in Newton County.