Football player found guilty of killing cheerleader ex-girlfriend He was a little nerdy on the side, said Zach Greene, one of Walker's friends. "Just things that he would just say a lot as a cry for help, I guess, in a way.". Emma really took cheerleading seriously, said Lauren Hutton, who was a senior on the squad when she met Walker and the two became good friends. How'd I get here?' The family will receive friends from noon until 3 pm. A little to himself from the outside looking in, you'd think he was just a normal guy.. He then located two shell casings outside the home, so he knew two shots had been fired. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Although he denied killing Emma, Gaul said he believed if law enforcement officers discovered the gun, they may link him to a crime he didnt commit. But I was just like, Oh he's shy it just seemed normal. https://usatodayhss.com/2016/college-football-player-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-high-school-cheerleader, College football player charged with murder in death of high school cheerleader. Her sudden death initially seemed to be a mystery, but investigators ultimately discovered a bullet hole in the bedroom wall, suggesting that as the 16-year-old was sleeping, someone crept up outside the home and fired two bullets into the side of the house before sneaking away virtually unnoticed. Detectives asked Gaul about the gun, but he told them he didn't know where it was. Greene said Walker started begging him for help, until he said, "Eventually she comes out and says, 'Zach, listen. WebEmma Walker, a beautiful and vibrant cheerleader, had been killed by a gunshot wound to the head after two bullets had been fired into her bedroom from outside the family's single In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Young Williams Animal Shelter or to the Emma Walker Memorial Fund. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? "He got shot and started walking and he was holding his chest. "Obviously there's concerns for their safety. Walker was immediately uneasy, Greene said, and she didn't really know what to think. This is an application-based program. [Gaul] he didn't really talk to us, her friends, a lot, she said. WebWilliam Riley Gaul was a college football player when he murdered his 16-year-old cheerleader ex-girlfriend, Emma Jane Walker, while she was asleep in her bed at her home Gaul's grandfather, who had kept the gun in his car, had reported the 9mm handgun missing prior to Gaul being questioned. Stone raised numerous reasons why his client should be acquitted or given another trial including the jury not being sequestered for a case that drew national attention, a crime scene photograph of Watson, objection to coverage by Law and Crime and McGee's refusal to toss some of the grand jury's counts against Gaul. Walkers parents decided to ban Gaul from their home and they took away their daughters cellphone to try to stop the teens from communicating, but it didnt work. By Tim Stelloh One student was killed and a police officer was injured Monday in a shooting at a high school in Tennessee, authorities said. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. For years together, we have been addressing the demands of people in and around Noida. Its like a nightmare, Jill told Dateline: Secrets Uncovered,airing Thursdays at 8/7c on Oxygen. He says the officers encountered him in a bathroom and ordered him out but he wouldnt comply. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Sixteen-year-old Emma Walker was a beautiful, vibrant and warm-hearted cheerleader and high school student. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. The song is climbing the country music charts, and she and Kenny Chesney performed it live at the 2021 CMAs on CBS and WVLT. Maryville coach Shaun Hayes said through a spokesman that Gaul has been dismissed from the football program. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Walked into the bedroom photographed the bedroom," Bules said. It was just very weird.". "Those two young men contacted us and asked if they could help us get what they believed to be the murder weapon back," Merritt told "20/20." Emma Walker's Haunting Murder At The Hands Of Riley Gaul He said the school officials were working to get information to families as quickly as possible. The Water Dispensers of the Vending Services are not only technically advanced but are also efficient and budget-friendly. Then, waste no time, come knocking to us at the Vending Services. I sat in the parking lot, just looking at pictures of us, he claimed. Varsity Coed Basketball. Gaul was booked into the Knox County Jail on a $750,000 bond. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Where is William Riley Gaul Now? - The Cinemaholic 16-year-old Emma Walker, a popular, bubbly Central High School cheerleader, Watch Later. She ran out of the house and found Gaul standing outside. A memorial fund has been set up for Emma. James Hurst told 20/20. When we got into the interview room and sat down, I felt like there was a dark side. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. A grieving family is asking everyone to take a moment on Wednesday to honor a teen killed in 2016. Johnson trials to retire at year's end. high school cheerleader killed while she slept when Maryville College football player ex fired shots into her bedroom from outside her home I've been kidnapped. Vending Services (Noida)Shop 8, Hans Plaza (Bhaktwar Mkt. Maryville College is cooperating fully with the Knox County Sheriffs Department in this investigation. She said, no it wasn't him Mom, it wasn't him," Jill told "20/20.". Either way, you can fulfil your aspiration and enjoy multiple cups of simmering hot coffee. He was convicted of her death and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Over the next two years, Walker and Gaul seemed to become that other classic high school couple, the kind that was always breaking up and getting back together. College football player charged with murder in death of high school When Gaul started college, Emma discovered he had been photographed with other girls and ended the relationship for good just before Thanksgiving. Video unavailable Watch on Around Halloween that year, Walkers parents decided to ground her - not allowing her to leave the house except to go to school and cheerleading. dead, officer injured after gunfire erupts She added that she also hopes people remember her by "being kind to others. Emma Walker was a student and cheerleader at Central High School. And going way overboard to do that," she added. In 2008 at Central High School, 15-year-old Ryan McDonald was killed by another 15-year In one post, Walker wrote, Look how lucky I am.. It appeared she had been shot from outside the If you are looking for a reputed brand such as the Atlantis Coffee Vending Machine Noida, you are unlikely to be disappointed. Friends said they grew concerned because it became apparent to many of them that Gaul didnt want Walker to hang out with anyone but him. Gaul was a freshman wide receiver and student at Maryville College, while Walker was a cheerleader and honors student at Central High School in Knoxville. Friends and family crowded the schools football stands during a vigil at later that night. I love you,'" said Madisen Keavy, a reporter at ABC Knoxville affiliate WATE who covered the story. He told investigators he spent the rest of the night in the parking lot of his college dorm, 25 miles away, crying over the breakup. All Right Reserved. On Tuesday night - just one day after Walker's murder, detectives wired the two teens up with microphones, a transmitter where police could listen in, and a video camera hidden in a key fob, and planned out a sting operation to recover the potential murder weapon. The funeral service will follow at 3 at Hill Cemetery. Knox County Sheriffs Office officials announced Wednesday that William Riley Gaul, a freshman wide receiver, was arrested in connection with the death of Emma Walker. When news of her tragic death spread, Gaul was quick to memorialize his ex-girlfriend on Facebook. (Knoxville Police Department) One man was killed and a police officer injured at a Tennessee high school shooting on Monday afternoon. We understand the need of every single client. When Walker's parents first met Gaul, they said their first impressions of him were positive. 2 Vols to series-clinching win over Zags, Pickens perfect game highlights day two of the Tennessee Classic, Knoxville utilities crews work to restore power after intense storms, Missing elderly Knoxville woman last seen at hospital, police say, Man accused of murdering Central cheerleader indicted, Maryville College football player charged in death of Central High School student, Warrant reveals new details of Emma Walker homicide case. Boy next door, her mother Jill Walker said. Chad Griffin, 15, and Josh Matthews, 14, said that they were sitting about 10 feet away from the victim and talking when they heard a sharp noise. The officer was transported to UT Medical center. Investigators say William Riley Gaul killed the Central High School cheerleader . Gaul's attorney, Wesley Stone, filed the motion to acquit the young man or give him a new trial three years ago. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Purple was Emma's favorite color, they said, and wearing it would show support for her family and show a commitment to doing kindness for others. With justice served for Emma Walker's death, Jill Walker hopes what happened to her daughter can also serve as a warning to others who may be in tumultuous relationships. Calendar. Most importantly, they help you churn out several cups of tea, or coffee, just with a few clicks of the button. I never meant to take Emma's life. Incident | Gun Violence Archive Emma Walker was shot by Riley Gaul, her ex-boyfriend, as she slept in her North Then, "Go alone," said another, and another said, "I've got someone you love. ", "What stood out to me from these tweets immediately was the repetitive nature of him saying, 'I love you. Jamarion Gillett, 15, previously attended the school in the fall of 2020 before he was killed in a separate incident on 9 March. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee acknowledged the shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School in a statement, calling it a very difficult and tragic situation.. When Gaul left the sheriff's office, McCarty said he started getting text messages from him, asking why he had told the police about the gun. He was a high school football player, she was a cheerleader in Knoxville, Tenn. At Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, a Friday night in autumn means a football stadium bathed in lights and two teams battling it out on the gridiron in front of a sea of red and black -- everyone decked out in support of the home team, the Bobcats. But, as he was describing this in the interrogation room, Merritt said Gaul was "emotionless. Ex-college football player on trial for ex-girlfriend's murder. Since her death, Emma Walkers family has tried to keep her legacy alive. She loved just being part of crowd appeal.. We are proud to offer the biggest range of coffee machines from all the leading brands of this industry. Youre dead to me Ill check the obituary ---- you, Gaul wrote. She was a cheerleader at Central High School and shared her smile with the entire Bobcat Nation. Similarly, if you seek to install the Tea Coffee Machines, you will not only get quality tested equipment, at a rate which you can afford, but you will also get a chosen assortment of coffee powders and tea bags. WebSixteen-year-old Central High School cheerleader Emma Walker was killed by her ex-boyfriend William Riley Gaul inside her Knoxville, Tennessee home on November 21, 2016. They also uncovered spent shell casings and a live round in the grass outside her home. Knoxville School Superintendent Bob Thomas said students who were not involved in the shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School have been released to their families. Emma Walker murder: No extra time for ex-boyfriend William Riley Just, you know, about the size of a ballpoint ink pen," he said. Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said she visited the officer, who was in good spirits and said hed rather it be him who was shot than someone else. The officer apparently said he would have rather it be him who was shot than someone else. The cafeteria was a popular place to gather before classes started at 8:30 a.m., students said. Investigators say William Riley Gaul killed the Central High School cheerleader . So, find out what your needs are, and waste no time, in placing the order. I love you forever and always. Emma Jane Em Walker (2000-2016) - Find a Grave Memorial Knoxville Police on the scene of a shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, One killed and another detained in Knoxville school shooting, One killed and another detained for questioning in school shooting that wounded police officer, Four Austin-East students killed by gun violence in past four months, Knoxville mayor says officer wounded with non-life threatening was in good spirits, Video shows handcuffed individual being led away from Knoxville high school, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Friends and family of Emma Walker are invited to Central Baptist Church of Fountain City. The arrangement didnt sit well with Emmas parents, but Emma could be stubborn. I love you more than words can describe, said another. The next morning Emma was dead. Gaul told detectives he had been trying to speak with Walker that weekend, but she wouldn't engage with him. Then, Lauren Hutton said, things became intense between the couple. She would come out of her room, eat dinner with us, and socialize with us., Walker had even texted her friend Keegan Lyle to say she and Gaul were done for good., She just came to the realization that she deserved better, Lyle said. The former high school and college football player is serving a life sentence with a chance at parole after 51 years for killing Walker in her home in November 2016. His friends witnessed his mood swings. Officials said evidence at the scene indicted Gaul fired shots into her bedroom from outside the house while she slept. Thus far there have been 130 mass shootings since the start of 2021, more than during the same period in 2018, 2019 and 2020. I thought it was weird.'". Should you be?, the detective responded. I'm making sure Emma is OK, and he's trying to talk to me, and I just said, You know you're not allowed, you need to leave. And he did leave.. It's been in his mind. He denied showing it to McCarty and also denied asking Walton about removing fingerprints from a gun. "To an investigator, that tells me that the two shots were more than likely fired by the same suspect," he said. You already know how simple it is to make coffee or tea from these premixes. When it comes to school spirit, few can bring it more than Southeast High School junior Jaziah Rowe, and she has to. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A student fatally shot a 15-year-old classmate during a dispute Thursday at a Knoxville high school, police said, as other teenagers watched in horror as the victim clutched his chest and fell to the floor. One bullet had hit her behind her left ear and the second had lodged into her pillow. He said Gaul told him not to call 911 to report the alleged incident. Out in front of the crowd, the marching band and cheerleaders keep the energy high, and in the fall of 2014, there was a new face on the cheerleading squad a spirited 14-year-old freshman named Emma Walker. Knoxville, TN. I want to hurt myself.' He just wanted her to think that he was all she had, Jill said of the toxic relationship. WebKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Riley Gaul, the college football player convicted of murdering Central High School cheerleader Emma Walker in 2016, has filed a motion for a new trial. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. College football player charged in high school cheerleader's slaying But then after a while was when we got kind of concerned.. The operation was a success and Gaul was arrested. When Gaul started college, Emma discovered he had been photographed with other girls and ended the relationship for good just before Thanksgiving. One man was killed and a police officer injured at a Tennessee high school shooting on Monday afternoon. The machines are affordable, easy to use and maintain. Depending on your choice, you can also buy our Tata Tea Bags. Walking around outside the home, he eventually found a second bullet hole on a different side the house at approximately the same height as the first. Emma Walker's Mom Speaks About Daughter's Knoxville Murder "Consistent with her reaching out to Riley regarding the events Saturday morning he was attempting to get her to ask him for help again, sort of to be her protector. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Young Williams Animal Shelter or to the Emma Walker Memorial Fund. In text messages, Gaul asked his friends not to speak to the police anymore. ", Stone also said Gaul denies being the mysterious "man dressed in black.". The Knoxville County Sheriffs Department issued a statement to local broadcaster WBLT saying there was no active threat at Austin-East Magnet High School following a mass shooting that left multiple people wounded, including a Knoxville Police Department officer. At his sentencing hearing today, Gaul, who did not speak during his trial, apologized to the Walkers for killing their daughter, but stuck by his defense that it was an accidental shooting. A video circulating online appeared to show an individual in handcuffs being led away from the school. I don't remember a whole lot from that. Her mother said she loved animals and wanted to be a NICU nurse, so the family has since gotten a dog park and a NICU patient room at East Tennessee Childrens Hospital named after her. Gaul has decades left to serve for killing Walker. He was sentenced to life in prison. Were extremely proud of all the investigators and all the work but were almost more proud of Noah and Alex in this, Knox County Sheriffs Office Major Mike MacLean said, calling the teens the heroes of the investigation. At his trial in May 2018, Gaul's defense attorney argued in court that he had never meant to kill Walker, but had fired the gun to try to scare her and get her attention. But friends and family recalled Gauls possessive and controlling habits with Emma and suspected the grieving ex-boyfriend may have played a bigger role in her death than he was letting on. The following morning, Walker went home. Knoxville police confirmed that the man reportedly armed was killed in a shootout at Austin-East Magnet High School around 3.15 pm local time. Pub. Her dad, Mark Walker, recalled hearing a loud noise the night she died Nov. 21, 2016. Jill Walker said Gaul would always comment on what her daughter wore, telling her what she should and shouldnt wear, to the point where she said she ended up saying something to Emma about it. "You said that she's nonresponsive?" Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. ), Student killed in shooting at Knoxville school, Judge sets bond for 76-year-old woman accused of killing terminally ill husband. It was one of her passions. Emma Walkers friends said she seemed happy with Gaul in the beginning. The police officer was taken to UT Medical Centre with non-life-threatening injuries, and not other gunshot wounds were reported. When Gaul killed Walker, he forever disrupted their lives, they say in victim impact statements. He just looked confused. Greene said that Walker thought it was one of Gaul's friends playing a prank on her, but that she texted back, threatening to call the police. She did become like her old self again, her father Mark Walker said. every Knoxville reference in Kelsea Ballerini It was for my roommate. Jurors saw video of police interrogating William Riley Gaul, who is accused of killing Emma Walker, a high school cheerleader, in her sleep. By: Logan Newman. 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I opened up her door to her bedroom and I stared at her for probably 15, 20 seconds and she was just lying asleep in her bed and I shut the door and went to my sons bedroom and he was in the bed asleep so I thought, Im hearing things., Friends who knew Emma who spent her days volunteering at an animal shelter and dreaming of one day becoming a neonatal nurse described her as down to earth, sweet, and the cheerleader on her high school squad who put the sparkle into what she would do.. Gaul had graduated and was an 18-year-old freshman at a nearby college by then, and Walker was in her junior year of high school, but their tumultuous relationship had continued despite her parents attempts to keep them apart. She was a 16-year-old Central High School student, the same school he had graduated from in the spring. "This wasn't a shooting that was a random act," Roehl said. It almost seemed rehearsed, deliberate," Merritt told "20/20.". Gauls friends became concerned with his well-being. They'd had a tumultuous relationship while dating, court records show. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David B. Rausch said at a news conference Monday that police responded to a report of a possible gunman at Austin-East Magnet High School in Knoxville. Detectives brought Gaul in for questioning on Monday about his whereabouts during the previous 72 hours. She's like, Zach, I'm getting these really weird text messages [that say] Come outside alone if you don't want to see a loved one get hurt, Greene said. Do you look forward to treating your guests and customers to piping hot cups of coffee? "Emma's like, 'Why are you here?' Now that you have the Water Cooler of your choice, you will not have to worry about providing the invitees with healthy, clean and cool water. And he said, 'I know.