AVONDALE, AZ — A 17-year-old girl has died after a shooting inside an Avondale apartment on November 8.
Police say it happened around 6:30 a.m. near Dysart and McDowell roads.
When officers got to the scene, they found the teenager, identified as Rhiana Kemplin, who had been shot. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where she later died from her injuries.
Police initially detained one person on unrelated charges and identified 18-year-old Emilio Rivera as a person of interest.
Officers said he previously had a relationship with Kemplin, though he was not immediately charged in her death.
Earlier this week, Rivera was arrested on those unrelated charges. Then late Friday night, around 9:30 p.m., detectives announced they had developed probable cause to arrest him in connection with Kemplin’s murder.
According to police, Rivera was taken into custody without incident at a home in Buckeye.
He was booked into the Maricopa County jail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
On December 4, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Rivera was indicted on those charges.
The indictment alleges Rivera shot his ex-girlfriend while she slept in her bed and then went into her mother's bedroom and tried ot shoot her, but the gun jammed.
Prior to the shooting, Rivera allegedly slashed the tires on several vehicles in the apartment complex's parking lot, including the victim's.
Rhiana's family has created a GoFundMe account to help with memorial services.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Avondale Police Department at 623-333-7000.
