An ex-clown who works as a special needs teacher has allegedly shot and killed his wife while she was desperately begging a 911 dispatcher for help.
The murder
James Anderson, 37, allegedly killed his 34-year-old wife Victoria Anderson in Cleveland, Texas, while their son aged three was in the house with them.
Anderson was arrested on Sunday after a five-hour standoff with police and a SWAT team, during which he allowed his son to exit the house.
The toddler was unharmed but covered in his mother’s blood, according to ABC13.
Who is the killer?
The alleged killer was the Special Education Department Chair for Santa Fe Middle School, where he started working in 2022.
But before his career as a middle school teacher, Anderson was a clown and balloon artist, calling himself ‘Mister Jazzz’ for performances at children’s parties and public libraries.
Videos from nearly a decade ago show the father-of-one in a red shirt, black vest and red bowler while doing a tutorial on how to make balloon animals on Youtube.
He also owned a clown business under his pseudonym ‘Mister Jazzz’ and Mr. Jazzz the Clown’, according to business records obtained by the US Sun.
Anderson was listed as the owner, but it is unclear whether the business is still running.
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On his online biography for the school district’s website, Anderson presented himself as a family man.
He wrote: ‘When I’m not busy working, I love hanging out with my family. I also like doing stuff in my yard, but not when it’s insanely hot outside! Another thing I’m really into is reading.’
The clown-turned-teacher has now been charged with his wife’s murder.Victoria dialed 911 just before 5pm on Sunday and said her husband was threatening to shoot her, according to a statement from the City of Houston.
The 911 dispatcher reported hearing a gunshot while on the phone with the victim.
