Crime & Safety

Woman found guilty of shooting, killing husband near Varsity

According to the office of Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, the newlywed gunned down her husband "in cold blood."

A woman accused of shooting and killing her newlywed husband of six days outside the Varsity restaurant almost three years ago was convicted and sentenced to life in prison on Thursday according to the office of Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.

Jurors returned guilty verdicts against 45-year-old Arelisha Bridges on charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of 26-year-old Anthony Rankins, Jr.

Rankins was gunned down “in cold blood” according to Howard’s office on the sidewalk near the corner of West Peachtree Street and North Avenue near the popular Midtown restaurant on March 1, 2010.

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According to eyewitnesses, Bridges parked her car in the restaurant lot around 10:45 p.m. and then proceeded to follow Rankins as he walked down the street. The couple, who reportedly lived in the area, argued before Bridges opened fire, continuously shooting her husband even after he fell to the ground.

Rankin was struck a total of five times and suffered fatal gunshot wounds to his head and chest. Bridges, who was wearing a nightgown and a shower cap, was arrested on the scene by a MARTA police officer.

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According to prosecutors, Bridges apparently was upset because her husband had taken her house keys.


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