College football player charged with murdering cheerleader ex-girlfriend in her sleep

Tragic news from Tennessee.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend. William Riley Gaul, 18 fatally shot Emma Jane Walker, in her bedroom while she slept, according to Knox News. Reports allege that the cheerleader had broken up with Gaul in recent weeks and he refused to accept it. Her body was found at 6.30am the following day by a family member. Gaul was taken into custody on Cherokee Trail late Tuesday night and remained jailed Wednesday in lieu of $750,000 bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled on December 2nd in Knox County General Sessions Court. Gaul had written several tweets before and after the death of Emma about their relationship. A fundraising page has now been set up in memory of Emma Walker which has raised over $21,000 . The description on the page reads:

''Our hearts are heavy with the tragic loss of Emma Walker of Fountain City, Knoxville. Above all, Emma was a beloved daughter, sister, family member, and friend. She was a cheerleader at Central High School and shared her smile with the entire Bobcat Nation. Her fun, kind, sweet spirit was contagious. Emma was a beauty inside and out. Our community was blessed to know her. Her dream was to become a nurse. Emma was the 16 year-old daughter of Mark and Jill Walker and sister of Evan Walker. Please support this precious family by making a donation to assist with funeral arrangements.''

Women's Aid have today released figures of domestic violence in Ireland while are as follows: Over the last twenty years 209 women have died violently and of that amount 131 (63%) were killed in their own homes. Over half of the cases which were resolved in court found that the women were murdered by a partner or an ex-partner. Another 33% of women were killed by someone they knew like a brother, son, neighbour or acquaintance. Altogether 87% of women were killed by someone known to them. If you have been affected by this story or need help from Women's Aid contact 1800 341 900