"He sounded like he'd been crying or he was sounding fatigued, I guess," Walton told "20/20." Police in Knoxville issued a tweet saying they have established a reunification site at a baseball field behind Austin-East Magnet High School in the wake of a shooting that left multiple people, including a police officer, injured. He just looked confused. WebPolice say Emma was killed in her bedroom on Nov. 21 when her 18-year-old ex-boyfriend, former Maryville College wide receiver William Riley Gaul, allegedly shot her from outside Knoxville Central High School. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. "And then looked at her face and realized and checked for a pulse and couldn't find anything. The Friday before Thanksgiving as Emma was at a party with friends, she got a disturbing text message telling her that Gaul had been kidnapped. Just go through our Coffee Vending Machines Noida collection. 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. He reassured me over and over again that he was the farthest thing from suicidal. Besides renting the machine, at an affordable price, we are also here to provide you with the Nescafe coffee premix. "He would be off to the side, moping (and) saying things like, 'Oh, I just feel so depressed. 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. Siler will be represented by the public defender's office. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Young Williams Animal Shelter or to the Emma Walker Memorial Fund. "I took off running and ran outside and called my mom," Matthews said. Emma was a beauty inside and out. Investigators said that on November 21, 2016, Gaul fired a gun into Walker's bedroom while she was asleep, killing the Central High School cheerleader. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. "Once the detective got there, we were asked to leave the residence," Jill Walker said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims family and friends and other individuals affected by this tragedy, Maryville athletic department spokesman Chris Cannon said in a statement. He wrote that to her, and we questioned him about it and he said, I was just angry. and thats when [I] started to get many more red flags.. 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. ", Alex McCarty and Noah Walton are seen here during an interview with ABC News' "20/20.". He was just so scared of these people who were out to get him, were out to get Emma.". So they were wrapping tape around our house, and walking around outside, but we still had no idea what had happened to her.". WebKNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Division III college football player William Riley Gaul was found guilty on Tuesday of first-degree murder after shooting through the bedroom wall of his ex By fall 2016, Emma Walker and Gaul were still dating. Should you be?, the detective responded. Notes. Early that fall, Walkers moves on the sidelines caught the eye of an older student, Number 8 Central Highs wide receiver and then-junior Riley Gaul. 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.. "You said that she's nonresponsive?" 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. "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." Emmas parents say their house immediately felt calmer, but the sense of peace wouldnt last for long. The following morning, Walker went home. Jurors saw video of police interrogating William Riley Gaul, who is accused of killing Emma Walker, a high school cheerleader, in her sleep. We focus on clientele satisfaction. Upon approach of the subject, shots were fired, police said in a statement. I've been kidnapped. Just hours before Emma was shot the next day, Gaul told investigators he had spoken to Emma on the phone. In 2008 at Central High School, 15-year-old Ryan McDonald was killed by another 15-year Then, waste no time, come knocking to us at the Vending Services. The officer was transported to UT Medical center. Gaul said he thought he had spent Friday night at his friend Noah Waltons house. Emma Walkers friends said she seemed happy with Gaul in the beginning. Every day for the rest of his life, wherever that may be, he will have to live with that reality. Then detectives asked to see his cellphone and Gaul asked them if he was a suspect. WebThe body of the high school junior was discovered about 6:30 a.m. Monday at 6802 Cardindale Drive in North Knox County. Investigators had their suspicions, too especially after a witness in the neighborhood told detectives she believed Gaul had been the man in black trying to terrorize Emma the day before her death but they didnt have enough to pin the murder on him until two unlikely heroes stepped forward with a new lead in the case. She loved leading and she loved football games. She said, no it wasn't him Mom, it wasn't him," Jill told "20/20.". "At that point, I knew that it probably was not a suicide," she added. Investigators say William Riley Gaul killed the Central High School cheerleader . WebKnoxville 0:04 0:57 The case of murdered Central High School cheerleader Emma Jane Walker will be profiled on "Dateline" tonight at 10 p.m. on NBC. Gaul was booked into the Knox County Jail on a $750,000 bond. She did her own thing., According to Walkers friends, Gaul became aggressive, sending her Snapchat messages that said, I hate you I hate everything about you and youre the biggest bitch Ive ever come in contact with.. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Vending Services (Noida)Shop 8, Hans Plaza (Bhaktwar Mkt. Irrespective of the kind of premix that you invest in, you together with your guests will have a whale of a time enjoying refreshing cups of beverage. Vending Services Offers Top-Quality Tea Coffee Vending Machine, Amazon Instant Tea coffee Premixes, And Water Dispensers. "When I first got there, I started my photographs on the outside of the residence. 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. "She just told me a bunch of cruel stuff, and she blocked his (friend's) number.". And then he fell and his arm hit me," Griffin said. Officials said Gaul was being held at the Knox County Jail on $750,000 bond. This latest incident follows recent mass shootings Colorado, Atlanta and South Carolina that have led to a push by the Biden administration for gun control reforms. Ex-college football player on trial for ex-girlfriend's murder. In a daring and brazen plan, Noah and Alex agreed to wear wires and go with Gaul to dispose of the weapon, allowing investigators to swoop in at just the right moment to recover the weapon. The Knox County Sheriff's Office reported that Walker had broken off a relationship with Gaul two weeks before they said he fired a 9 mm handgun into Walker's bedroom. But I was just like, Oh he's shy it just seemed normal. 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 At this point, detectives said they knew from McCarty that Gaul had shown his friend his grandfather's gun. WebThe funeral service will follow at 3 at Hill Cemetery. 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. His attorney said he plans to appeal the ruling. 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. Vending Services has the widest range of water dispensers that can be used in commercial and residential purposes. A memorial fund has been set up for Emma. Emma, Im sorry for however I act, one message from Gaul said. Blah, blah, blah, blah, said Gaul's friend Alex McCarty. Most importantly, they help you churn out several cups of tea, or coffee, just with a few clicks of the button. William Riley Gaul appeared in Knox County Criminal Court on Friday morning to make his case. Maryville already has completed its season. You can have multiple cup of coffee with the help of these machines.We offer high-quality products at the rate which you can afford. He said Gaul told him not to call 911 to report the alleged incident. If you are looking for a reputed brand such as the Atlantis Coffee Vending Machine Noida, you are unlikely to be disappointed. 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. Students began to gather around the victim, said freshman Jared Wohlford, 14. A video circulating online appeared to show an individual in handcuffs being led away from the school. She wasnt OK with it, but she did let it happen, friend Lauren added. Trial date set for man accused of killing Knoxville cheerleader, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Late power surge lifts No. Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said she visited the officer who was shot at Austin-East Magnet High School and said he was in good spirits.. Police were sent to the Walker house. The Emma Walker Memorial Fund can be found, or by following the link https://www.youcaring.com/theemmawalkermemorialfundforfuneralexpenses-698574. Thinking Gaul was lying to authorities, Walton and McCarty then collaborated with police to help them lay a trap. WebPipeLine is a free academic mentoring program at Central High School. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. A grieving family is asking everyone to take a moment on Wednesday to honor a teen killed in 2016. Do you look forward to treating your guests and customers to piping hot cups of coffee? WebNBCs Dateline: Noises in the Night examines the homicide case of 16-year-old Emily Walker that shook her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, to its very core. The arrangement didnt sit well with Emmas parents, but Emma could be stubborn. One man was pronounced dead at the scene while another was detained for questioning, the statement said. Gaul took to social media to mourn Walker, posting a series of tweets and a lengthy Facebook post. 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. Just, you know, about the size of a ballpoint ink pen," he said. "Everybody kept giving us the name Riley Gaul because of their relationship, because they had seen the way that Riley had treated her, the way he'd talk to her," Merritt said. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. The Central High 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. I just told her, um, how much I loved her, and, uh, that I was sorry she didnt want what we had anymore, he said in an interrogation tape. The police officer was taken to UT Medical Centre with non-life-threatening injuries, and not other gunshot wounds were reported. Emma texted with her friend Keegan Lyle about a homework assignment, then went to bed a little after midnight. By: Logan Newman. Investigators said that on November 21, 2016, Gaul fired a gun into Walker's bedroom while she was asleep, killing the Central High School cheerleader. 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. 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. Jill Walker said they advised their daughter to break-up with Gaul several times., But as you do that with a teenager, the more you butt heads, the more she is going to think he is in the right, she said. Office hours are Thursdays & Fridays, 9:00am to 5:00pm. He knows he's not allowed here, Jill Walker said. "I told him, 'Obviously not and not to ever ask me anything like that again.' How'd I get here?' Weldon described her niece to the paper as abeautiful soul who was looking forward to graduating high school so she could begin studying to be a neonatal nurse. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, the fund has raised $1,408 of the $20,000 goal. James Hurst told 20/20. When we got into the interview room and sat down, I felt like there was a dark side. Its like a nightmare, Emma Watson's mother said after discovering her 16-year-old dead in bed in November 2016. He's a prisoner in the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. Then, "Go alone," said another, and another said, "I've got someone you love. Additionally, none of Walker's friends contacted the authorities about the alleged kidnapping that night. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Young Williams Animal Shelter or to the Emma Walker Memorial Fund. It's what our school revolves around," said Seth Armstrong, a recent Central High graduate who played for the team. high school cheerleader killed while she slept when Maryville College football player ex fired shots into her bedroom from outside her home The community around Central "He basically told me that these people knocked him out, took his car and threw him in a van and he didn't know where he was.". Seemingly dejected, Gaul walked off down the street, alone. "Just things that he would just say a lot as a cry for help, I guess, in a way.". I don't remember a whole lot from that. When Gaul started college, Emma discovered he had been photographed with other girls and ended the relationship for good just before Thanksgiving. The school, which has about 1,400 students, was placed on lockdown after the shooting. Her dad, Mark Walker, recalled hearing a loud noise the night she died Nov. 21, 2016. Shes in fear, shes in a panic and so she reaches out to the one person that she thinks can help her which was Riley Gaul.. The text messages, however, became more menacing, Greene said. ", Keegan Lyle is seen here during an interview with ABC News "20/20. 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. 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. I could see her like yelling at him, like Whats going on? and she was really angry, her friend Kegan later told Canning. "But she said if I would help her write her paper, she would talk to me," Gaul told detectives. WebLaw enforcement officials would eventually determine that Emma had been killed in her sleep, shot with a 9mm handgun in the early hours that morning. on demand Nov 17, 2022 3:00 PM PST. In court, Gaul tried to claim that had never intended to kill Emma when he fired those fatal shots and thought the gunfire would only scare her, but a jury didnt buy his account and he was convicted of first-degree murder. Here also, we are willing to provide you with the support that you need. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Three years after his trial, the 22-year-old Knoxville man convicted of shooting his ex-girlfriend to death as she slept sought a new trial, but was denied Friday. On Thursday, Mr Lee signed a bill allowing gun owners over the age of 21 to carry firearms, open or concealed, without the need for a permit or training. According to local news outlet WBIR 10, an anonymous source told reporters that the suspect in the shooting has been shot and killed. Emma was bright and fun and soon attracted the attention of stand-out wide receiver Riley Gaul. Investigators say William Riley Gaul killed the Central High School cheerleader . Gaul was previously indicted on charges of first degree murder, especially aggravated stalking, theft, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, and felony murder charges. KANSAS CITY, Mo. She had chosen to move on, Weldon told the paper. "It's just a small bullet hole. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. Either way, the machines that we have rented are not going to fail you. Gaul's grandfather, who had kept the gun in his car, had reported the 9mm handgun missing prior to Gaul being questioned. "Only knowing those posts about him, if you just read that, if you just saw that, you would think that this was an ex-boyfriend who just lost his first love.". on demand Dec 09, 2022 2:00 PM PST. Afterward, Gaul told detectives, he went over to his grandparents' house briefly and then drove back to his college. Sheriffs officials said Walker was found dead of a gunshot wound inside her house Monday morning. For every nasty message Gaul sent Walker, there was also a quick apology. Funeral services for slain Central High School cheerleader set for Saturday, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Late power surge lifts No. "(On Fridays) everybody's excited at school to see how well we do. 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 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. It's not OK," she said. He chose not to accept her wishes.. Students in the cafeteria began crying and scrambling to leave, while others tried to get in the room, thinking they had missed a fight, witnesses said. Detectives asked Gaul about the gun, but he told them he didn't know where it was. %link% 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. "If you'd like to hear his crying and screams give him a call," said one message. It almost seemed rehearsed, deliberate," Merritt told "20/20.". Griffin at first thought someone had dropped a book and then looked around. During his two-hour police interrogation, Gaul didnt referred to Emma Walker by name, only calling her "the girl.". "I was very worried. A jury found Riley Gaul guilty of Emma Walker's murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison. Jamarion Gillett, 15, previously attended the school in the fall of 2020 before he was killed in a separate incident on 9 March. It appeared she had been shot from outside the November 23, 2016 / 3:49 PM WebSheriffs officials said Walker was found dead of a gunshot wound inside her house Monday morning. 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. It's not just bruises, it's emotional and controlling. And he said, 'I know. I thought it was weird.'". "He tried to have a tough exterior, like a shield, to fit in," his uncle Roger McDonald said. Boy next door, her mother Jill Walker said. The YouCaring account says, "Our hearts are heavy with the tragic loss of Emma Walker of Fountain City, Knoxville. 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. Soon, the cheerleader's social media accounts were filled with pictures of a seemingly perfect pair paddle boarding together, embracing and taking silly selfies. Detectives brought Gaul in for questioning on Monday about his whereabouts during the previous 72 hours. 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. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Bob McGee retired in late 2019 and then COVID-19 hit. He then located two shell casings outside the home, so he knew two shots had been fired. She was a junior at Central High School, a member of the TV networks and People magazine were among the news outlets nationally that reported and covered the case. "And (Sunday night) I used one of my friends' phones on campus to call her. As shes pulling in the subdivision approaching her residence, she sees a person dressed all in black and as she gets closer, you know, he cinches the hood up and puts some sunglasses on, Knox County Sheriffs Office Detective Allen Merritt told Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. As she gets in the residence, then this person comes to the front door and starts, you know, trying to get in the front door of the house, turning the door knob, beating on the door. 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. "This wasn't a shooting that was a random act," Roehl said. All Rights Reserved. Friends and family crowded the schools football stands during a vigil at later that night. For more high school stories, stats and videos, visit http://usatodayhss.com. 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. 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. Our community was blessed to know her.". WebWhy Investigators Realized Emma Walkers Death Was Murder It had been just like any other night. The officer apparently said he would have rather it be him who was shot than someone else. They also uncovered spent shell casings and a live round in the grass outside her home. As a host, you should also make arrangement for water. Under the glow from the streetlight, he said, they could see that it was Gaul. Jamar Siler, 15, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and was being held in a juvenile court facility, police spokesman Darrell DeBusk said. She really loved doing it. ", "His interview was probably one of the most disconnected. Although Gaul, who was two years older, already had a girlfriend of his own, he promised Emma that he would break up with her. I know. Calendar. It sounded like someone was in the house and opened a door and slammed it, he told Dateline: Secrets Uncovered." His friends witnessed his mood swings.