CLEMSON — A Clemson University professor was among the three killed during a weekend shooting at a community theater in Athens, Ga.

A nationwide manhunt is underway as authorities try to track down the suspect in the case, a University of Georgia professor.

Thomas Cole Tanner, 40, was shot and killed during the Saturday incident, along with two others.

Tanner was the director of the Regional Dynamics and Economic Modeling Laboratory at Clemson’s Strom Thurmond Institute.

A public statement said the Clemson University family is mourning Tanner’s death and sends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

“A colleague described him as brilliant, talented and most impressive,” according to the statement.

The economist came to Clemson from UGA in 2007.

On the day of the shooting, Tanner was scheduled to play Dr. Watson in the play “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” at the Athens Community Theater.

He had been a member of the Athens-based community theater group the Town & Gown Players for about five years, according to group officials.

Tanner had one daughter.

Police are searching for UGA professor George Zinkhan, 57, in connection with the shootings, according to the Associated Press.

Zinkhan disappeared after the shootings, and as of press time was still at large.

Police say he may be armed and dangerous.

The other two killed outside the theater were Zinkhan’s wife Marie Bruce, 47, of Bogart, Ga., and Ben Teague, 63, of Athens, Ga., the AP reported.