A FAMILY was left heartbroken when their daughter’s life was cut short after she was gunned down.
Sometime after Emma Walker split from her ex-boyfriend William Riley Gaul, he fatally shot her.
Who was Emma Walker?
Born on March 20, 2000, Emma Walker was an American high school student and homicide victim from Knoxville, Tennessee.
“She was a daughter, a sister, a friend,” Emma’s mother Jill Walker said of her late daughter.
Jill told People: “She was friends with everybody. I want people to know my daughter isn’t just a murdered cheerleader.
“She was so much more than that. But she was also so many things to so many people.
“She was involved in her community, had a job, and was an honors student.
“She marched to her own drum. Emma had a big heart.”
Emma’s grieving mother added: “We are trying to keep Emma’s little spirit alive.
“I just hope that justice is served. We are living day by day. We are trying to find a new normal for ourselves and stay positive.”
Emma is survived by her mother Jill, her father Mark, and her brother Evan.
What happened to Emma?
On November 21, 2016, 16-year-old Emma was fatally shot in her bedroom by William Riley Gaul; he was the victim’s ex-boyfriend.
Both Emma and Gaul were students at Central High School, they dated on and off for two years.
Two weeks before the victim’s death, she called off her relationship with Gaul.
On November 22, 2016, the killer was arrested for Emma’s homicide.
On May 8, 2018, Gaul was found guilty of:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree felony murder
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony
- Reckless endangerment
- Stalking
- Tampering with evidence
- Theft of property valued over $500
When was Emma’s killer Riley Gaul sentenced?
On September 14, 2018, Gaul was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 51 years.
In his victim impact statement, Emma’s father Mark Walker told the court: “I wish I had a little more time.”
He recalled his and Emma’s last days together and said: “She seemed more like herself…like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.”
Jill Walker shared: “Riley, you are not Emma’s hero. Emma is the hero here and she is definitely mine.
“You ended her life. No punishment will ever bring Emma back, but what helps is knowing that he can’t do this to anyone else.”
At the same hearing, Gaul expressed to the victim’s family: “I’m sorry I took Emma away from you, that I robbed you of the experience of watching your daughter grow up.
“I know that nothing I can do will bring Emma back or alleviate the pain that I caused, but what I can do is tell the truth of what happened that night
“I wanted to scare her. I never meant to take Emma’s life. Again, I am sorry.
“My intentions were not, and never have been, to cause Emma any physical harm.”
On February 5, 2024, the late Emma’s murder is revisited in an episode of ABC’s 20/20 titled Bad Romance.
That Monday at 10 pm EST, Bad Romance is scheduled to premiere via ABC with reporting by Deborah Roberts and Ryan Smith.
Viewers who miss the episode can check out the episode via Hulu.