In a tragic incident in Arizona, a teenager allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home, fatally shooting her while she was asleep, before turning his attention to her mother.
Emilio Rivera, aged 18, now faces charges of first-degree murder for the killing of 17-year-old Rhiana Kemplin. The fatal confrontation occurred a week prior to his arrest, as reported by KSAZ.
According to court records, after Kemplin’s murder, Rivera attempted to shoot her mother. However, the gun malfunctioned. The mother recounted to police that she saw a man, whom she identified as Rivera, aiming a gun at her and attempting to fire it twice. When the weapon didn’t discharge, Rivera fled the scene, prompting her to call 911. Afterward, she discovered her daughter had been shot.
A court official described the crime as a domestic violence incident, stating, “Mr. Rivera allegedly entered the victim’s home during the night and shot her in the head. She also sustained a gunshot wound to her hand, indicating she tried to defend herself.”
Neighbors reportedly heard both the gunshot and subsequent screams.
During police questioning, Rivera admitted to being in Kemplin’s room that evening, claiming an argument erupted after he found evidence of her infidelity, despite their breakup. He confessed to returning later to vandalize her car by slashing the tires, intending to prevent her from meeting others. However, he denied any involvement in her shooting.
But police matched a gun found in Rivera’s mother’s home to the one used in the murder.
In addition to murder, he has been charged with attempted murder, KPHO reported. Police said he was arrested on unrelated charges on the day of the shooting.
Rivera was ordered held on a $1 million bond. He is due back in court on Thursday.
