Teacher Killed after Shooting at Catholic University of America - Police Look for Suspect - RIP Maxwell Emerson, Age 25
A teacher from Kentucky, USA, was fatally Shot on Catholic University of America campus while on a visit to Washington, D.C. Maxwell Emerson, age 25, died at the hospital after a shooting on the campus of The Catholic University of America on July 5th. Police are still searching for his killer. According to a press release from the Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded around 8:20 a.m. for the report of a shooting. Maxwell Emerson, of Crestwood, KY, was transported to an area hospital, where he died of his injuries, police said. According to a statement obtained by PEOPLE from the Oldham County school district, Emerson was a social studies teacher and assistant wrestling coach at Oldham County High School. In the statement, the school district called Emerson’s death a “devastating loss.” “Max was also a wrestling coach and devoted much time to supporting and coaching our students. He was loved by students and respected by his peers.”MPD seeks a suspect in reference to a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, in the 600 Block of Alumni Lane, Northeast.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) July 7, 2023
Release: https://t.co/GWarhA3TVJ pic.twitter.com/IBngJb0Kk0
Catholic University of America Released the Following Statements: Community Update July 7
July 07, 2023
Dear University community,
This week’s tragic killing on our campus was a painful reminder that our world can be a violent one. At the same time, our community can be a beacon of light amidst such darkness.
Students, faculty, and staff gathered outside Father O’Connell Hall yesterday to remember the life of Maxwell Emerson, the victim, and to pray for his repose.
Rev. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., University chaplain, led a moving prayer service that spoke of hope, even in the midst of so much pain. We mourn Mr. Emerson’s loss, though he was not a member of our community. He was our brother.
Father Aquinas reminded everyone of Mr. Emerson’s loved ones: “We certainly gather for the repose of his soul, consolation for his family and friends. We pray for the police as they investigate and continue to piece together the circumstances of this tragedy.”
Ever since I arrived on campus, I have strived to emphasize that each human life is uniquely made by God in His image and likeness and therefore precious. As an anchor institution of the Brookland neighborhood and for all of D.C., the community looks to us to show God’s love, compassion, and wisdom. We must answer that call each day. We are a people of hope.
Let us pray for a conversion of hardened hearts and for those who inflict violence on our streets. May they find inspiration here on campus and the light of God’s love in their hearts.
Catholic University Community Gathers to Pray Following Tragedy
July 06, 2023
University Chaplain Rev. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P, led prayers Thursday for Maxwell Emerson who was fatally shot outside Father O'Connell Hall the day before.
By Matt Palmer
The Catholic University of America community gathered outside Father O’Connell Hall Thursday, July 6, to pray for the recently slain Maxwell Emerson.
A Kentucky high school teacher, Emerson was in town for a conference. Emerson was not a member of the Catholic University community, but he was remembered mere feet from where he lived his last moments.
Rev. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., University chaplain and director of Campus Ministry, led a prayer service for the Kentucky teacher who was shot Wednesday morning on Michigan Ave., and was discovered outside O’Connell Hall. The suspect fled and Emerson was declared dead at a local hospital.
“We certainly gather for the repose of his soul, consolation for his family and friends,” Father Aquinas told the crowd. “We pray for the police as they investigate and continue to piece together the circumstances of this tragedy.”
The chaplain added that the community is praying for peace, reconciliation, contrition, and an end to violence. Throughout the prayer service, Father Aquinas emphasized the need for hope amid senseless acts of violence.
During one prayer, Father Aquinas said, “We share the faith of your son’s disciples in the hope that the children of God bring the light of Christ’s resurrection to this time of pain and testing,” Father Aquinas said.
The priest blessed and re-dedicated the O’Connell Hall toward the end of the prayer service. He also extended blessings over the crowd gathered.
Following the incident, University President Peter Kilpatrick set a tone of prayer for the campus.
“While we thank God no campus community members were hurt in this incident, we pray for the individual who senselessly lost his life,” Kilpatrick said in a statement. “Every human life is made in the image and likeness of God, and we pray for the end of such violence and to help build up a culture that treasures all life.”
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