LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The family of an Oldham County teacher believes he was robbed at gunpoint before being shot and killed while on a trip in Washington D.C.
Authorities say 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson from Crestwood, Kentucky, died at the hospital early Wednesday morning after the shooting on Catholic University's campus.
The Oldham County school district confirmed to WHAS11 News Emerson was a social studies teacher and assistant wrestling coach at Oldham County High School, where he once thrived himself as a student wrestler years ago.
While police say the shooting happened on Catholic University's campus, the school say Emerson was not affiliated with the university.
In Kentucky, an Oldham County Schools spokesperson says Emerson was in D.C. for a Library of Congress teacher development program.
The trip took a tragic turn when police say a man shot Emerson and then ran off.
In an update briefing Thursday, D.C. police said detectives looked through video evidence and observed "the victim and suspect walking together, and arriving at the location of the offense together." They went on to say detectives are still investigating if there is a potential connection between the victim and suspect.
Back in Kentucky, Emerson's sister, Ellen Emerson, confirmed the family believes Emerson was robbed at gunpoint and Snapchat messaged his mother -- who was also on the trip -- for help when it happened.
As of Thursday evening, police say the suspect is still at large.
Previously, Washington D.C.'s acting police chief discussed the case at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
"The investigation so far suggests that the victim and suspect were known to each other and it appears that whatever transpired, transpired between two individuals that knew each other," the chief said.
In a statement, the university said they're working with police to determine what happened and they "ask that you pray for the victim who died and law enforcement who are determining what occurred."
Oldham County Schools issued a statement on Thursday morning saying that this was a "devastating loss" for the high school and the entire OCS community.
"The Emerson family has deep roots in our school system, so this tragedy touches many of our students and staff. Max was a young teacher, but he made it his goal to form lasting relationships with his students in order to foster a life-long love of learning," a portion of the statement read.
The school district said he was loved and respected by both students and peers, including as an assistant coach for the varsity wrestling team.
Members of his team, rising juniors Miller Brown and Addai Dunn, say they didn't just lose a coach, but also someone who understood them better than most others could.
"We knew he knew what he was talking about, so we had respect for him, and he went through the exact same stuff," Dunn said.
Emerson won a state championship as a student wrestler at Oldham County High School in 2016.
Since June 2021, he had passed along his knowledge both as a coach and teacher.
Oldham County High teacher Julie Bauscher told WHAS11 News Emerson made a real impact on young students.
"He was definitely called to teaching," Bauscher said. "There was a vulnerability that he was willing to give to students and allow them to have with him, so there was a transparency. And you can tell they loved him."
Several students gathered Thursday inside school walls to grieve together and support each other during this difficult time.
Brown says he plans to honor Emerson by carrying on his legacy.
"I'm going to remember everything he's told me and push myself as hard as I can," he said.
Oldham County Schools said they will be offering grief counselors at the school to help students and staff.
Oldham County High School said if you'd like to drop off a condolence card for the Emerson family the school will be open and available on July 7 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. all next week.
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