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. One man was pronounced dead at the scene while another was detained for questioning, the statement said. "It was an individual directing his aggression toward another individual, not the school or the students inside the school.". Youre dead to me Ill check the obituary ---- you, Gaul wrote. Again I am sorry.". 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 sat in the parking lot, just looking at pictures of us, he claimed. Just hours after calling law enforcement authorities, the 18-year-olds were ready to carry out the plan. They understood the dangers and the concerns, but they wanted to do it.". Police were sent to the Walker house. dead, officer injured after gunfire erupts One killed and another detained "If your boyfriend or girlfriend is telling (you) you can't go there, or what to wear, or who to hang out with, or who to talk to. Gaul said he thought he had spent Friday night at his friend Noah Waltons house. Im coming Im speeding just give me a minute, Gaul texted her back. It appeared to be a bullet hole.". 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.. WebThe funeral service will follow at 3 at Hill Cemetery. Thats my beautiful Emma. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. According to local news outlet WBIR 10, an anonymous source told reporters that the suspect in the shooting has been shot and killed. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. 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. He quickly came to her aid and searched the house and neighborhood but found no signs of the hooded figure. Web1:07 William Riley Gaul will serve no extra prison time besides a mandatory life sentence for killing his ex-girlfriend, Central High School honor student and cheerleader Emma Walker. Greene said Walker started begging him for help, until he said, "Eventually she comes out and says, 'Zach, listen. This is an application-based program. They said they dropped Riley outside.'". "He's trying to get her attention to talk to him. Emma Jane Walker: The Murder Of A 16-Year-Old High School 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. on demand Nov 17, 2022 3:00 PM PST. I love you more than words can describe, said another. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! He then located two shell casings outside the home, so he knew two shots had been fired. November 23, 2016 / 3:49 PM When news of her tragic death spread, Gaul was quick to memorialize his ex-girlfriend on Facebook. By fall 2016, Emma Walker and Gaul were still dating. Our student was a wonderful young lady, a cheerleader and honor student with a promising future, whose life was cut too short, too soon, Central High School Principal Michael Reynolds said in a statement Wednesday released to the paper. 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. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Knoxville, TN. "She's, she's 16.". Do you look forward to treating your guests and customers to piping hot cups of coffee? The machines that we sell or offer on rent are equipped with advanced features; as a result, making coffee turns out to be more convenient, than before. Police identified the victim as Ryan McDonald, a sophomore who lived with his grandmother and had alopecia, a condition that left him bald and the target of endless teasing as a child. And going way overboard to do that," she added. Students began to gather around the victim, said freshman Jared Wohlford, 14. For more on this case and others like it, watch "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered," airing Thursdays at 8/7c on Oxygen, or stream episodes here. The night after her death, they held a candlelight vigil at Central High, and her fellow cheerleaders released balloons in her memory at that week's Bobcats football game. Knoxville high school after police I was worried and we were watching her, Jill Walker said. Emma Walker was shot by Riley Gaul, her ex-boyfriend, as she slept in her North Knox County home. Friends described really dramatic arguments between the two, often over text message or Snapchat posts. It almost seemed rehearsed, deliberate," Merritt told "20/20.". Funeral services for slain Central High School cheerleader set for 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. Varsity Coed Basketball. "He tried to have a tough exterior, like a shield, to fit in," his uncle Roger McDonald said. "Emma's like, 'Why are you here?' 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. 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. When Gaul killed Walker, he forever disrupted their lives, they say in victim impact statements. Coffee premix powders make it easier to prepare hot, brewing, and enriching cups of coffee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Young Williams Animal Shelter or to the Emma Walker Memorial Fund. James Hurst told 20/20. When we got into the interview room and sat down, I felt like there was a dark side. 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. Holding his head like he got hit upside the head kind of. "Obviously there's concerns for their safety. Detectives asked Gaul about the gun, but he told them he didn't know where it was. ", Alex McCarty and Noah Walton are seen here during an interview with ABC News' "20/20.". It doesn't even need to be for anyone people know personally. When she didn't rouse the next morning, Emmas mother, Jill Walker, went to check on her and discovered she was dead. We also offer the Coffee Machine Free Service. 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. "I told him, 'Obviously not and not to ever ask me anything like that again.' Emma Jane Em Walker (2000-2016) - Find a Grave Memorial He would just wait outside for hours, Hutton said. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. It's not OK," she said. Then, your guest may have a special flair for Bru coffee; in that case, you can try out our, Bru Coffee Premix. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Emma was bright and fun and soon attracted the attention of stand-out wide receiver Riley Gaul. She was a junior at Central High School, a member of the He knows he's not allowed here, Jill Walker said. The officer apparently said he would have rather it be him who was shot than someone else. 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. Investigators found two bullets had been fired into the walls of her bedroom, with one fatal bullet striking her in the left side of her head just behind the ear. I love you. The source also claimed the officer who had been shot was the schools resource officer. Emma and Gaul dated on and off for two years. When police started interviewing Emma Walkers friends and family members that day, Merritt said the same name kept coming up over and over again. 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. Just hours before Emma was shot the next day, Gaul told investigators he had spoken to Emma on the phone. 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. The cafeteria was a popular place to gather before classes started at 8:30 a.m., students said. She said Gaul started waiting for Walker outside of the supermarket where she worked. I know I called 911. She was a 16-year-old Central High School student, the same school he had graduated from in the spring. 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. 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. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, the fund has raised $1,408 of the $20,000 goal. A jury found Riley Gaul guilty of Emma Walker's murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison. Then on Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, Walker was allowed to attend a gathering at a friends house. The machines are affordable, easy to use and maintain. Emma Walker was a student and cheerleader at Central High School. College football player charged with murder in death of high school He didn't have a whole lot of passion or concern.. The Knox County Sheriff's Office reports that on Monday, Nov. 21, at 6:29 a.m., Gaul fired a gun into Walker's bedroom while she was asleep, hitting and killing her. We ensure that you get the cup ready, without wasting your time and effort. Example video title will go here for this video. Varsity Boys Wrestling Multi-team Event. 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. Friends described him as a jokester, not the classic jock type. 16-year-old Emma Walker, a popular, bubbly Central High School cheerleader, Your guests may need piping hot cups of coffee, or a refreshing dose of cold coffee. "Go to your car with your keys," said one text message. Colors: Red, Black Google Map Championship History. He refused to accept it. "He never intended to cause her harm, never intended to cause her death," Wesley Stone, Gaul's attorney, told "20/20" exclusively. So following Emmas death, they told detectives a secret Gaul had shared with his friend, Alex McCarty, the day after Gaul's alleged kidnapping. Depending on your choice, you can also buy our Tata Tea Bags. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --A football player at Division III Maryville College in Tennessee faces a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl who had reportedly recently broken up with him. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. A grieving family is asking everyone to take a moment on Wednesday to honor a teen killed in 2016. Around 11:30 p.m. that night, her friend and classmate Zach Greene arrived at the house where they were hanging out and Walker pulled him aside. Johnson trials to retire at year's end. She wasnt OK with it, but she did let it happen, friend Lauren added. Sheriffs officials said Walker was found dead of a gunshot wound inside her house Monday morning. The funeral service will follow at 3 at Hill Cemetery. Photo: But Gaul didn't seem to take the breakup well. Thus far there have been 130 mass shootings since the start of 2021, more than during the same period in 2018, 2019 and 2020. A Knox County jury convicted Gaul, now 22, of numerous counts including the November 2016 murder of the Central High School teen. It can be a small gesture, such as bringing someone their very treat when they arrive home or simply giving a loved one a hug. The Emma Walker Memorial Fund can be found, or by following the link https://www.youcaring.com/theemmawalkermemorialfundforfuneralexpenses-698574. He was convicted of her death and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. "He sounded like he'd been crying or he was sounding fatigued, I guess," Walton told "20/20." For more high school stories, stats and videos, visit http://usatodayhss.com. Raised by his mother and grandparents, Gaul was a top student and loved to play video games. Tennessees fatal shooting is first inside of school since massive All Right Reserved. Rest easy now sweetheart, he wrote in one message. "If you'd like to hear his crying and screams give him a call," said one message. 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. In one tweet, he wrote, "Rest easy now sweetheart. 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. He was just so scared of these people who were out to get him, were out to get Emma.". Maryville College is cooperating fully with the Knox County Sheriffs Department in this investigation. every Knoxville reference in Kelsea Ballerini First published on November 23, 2016 / 3:49 PM. I don't remember a whole lot from that. Jill, however, wasn't convinced. The Central High 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.