Colorado – In a tragic case that unfolded in Colorado, a 53-year-old man, identified as E. Cunningham, has been sentenced to decades in prison after killing his former employer’s wife shortly after losing his job. Cunningham was convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 23-year-old K. Roberts-Gariety, a young woman who answered the door of her apartment and was met with sudden violence.
Prosecutors said Cunningham’s anger grew after he was fired for doing drugs while at work, a decision made by Roberts-Gariety’s husband, who had been his employer. According to investigators, the firing triggered a series of threats and confrontations that ultimately ended in a deadly encounter at the couple’s home. The case moved through the courts before Cunningham was finally sentenced to 42 years in prison, bringing some closure to a family still grieving a sudden and devastating loss.
Authorities said the events leading to the shooting began after Cunningham lost his job. Roberts-Gariety’s husband had dismissed him after learning that Cunningham had been using drugs while on the job. Following the termination, Cunningham reportedly became angry and began directing threats toward his former boss. Investigators later learned that he repeatedly contacted the man and made threatening statements. According to an arrest affidavit, the victim’s husband told police that Cunningham “knew where they lived and had issues with him.”
On June 29, 2024, Cunningham decided to go directly to the apartment where the couple lived. Prosecutors said he intended to confront the man who had fired him. However, when Cunningham arrived at the apartment, it was not the husband who opened the door. Instead, it was Roberts-Gariety. Authorities said that when she opened the door, Cunningham immediately fired his weapon, killing the young woman. The shooting happened quickly and without warning. What began as an attempt to confront his former boss ended with the life of a 23-year-old woman being taken in an instant.
Shortly after the shooting, residents inside the apartment building began to notice that something had gone terribly wrong. One neighbor reported hearing a loud gunshot during the afternoon. Soon after, the same person heard the sound of someone running away from the area. Another resident in the building managed to capture a video showing Cunningham leaving the building and getting into his vehicle. That video would later become key evidence for investigators. Surveillance cameras also recorded Cunningham’s car leaving the building moments after the shooting.
Police quickly used the footage and witness information to track Cunningham’s movements. Within hours of the killing, officers located him and placed him under arrest. Authorities later confirmed that Cunningham was already on parole from a previous burglary conviction at the time of the shooting. He had previously served part of a 20-year sentence before being released. The case also raised broader questions about how parole assessments are handled. Past reporting had examined concerns about how certain offenders were evaluated before being released from prison.
For Roberts-Gariety’s family, the tragedy left a deep emotional wound that continues to affect them every day. Originally from Ohio, Roberts-Gariety had moved to Colorado before her life was suddenly cut short. She came from a large family and left behind nine siblings who are now trying to cope with her absence. The loss has made even ordinary moments difficult for the family. The tragedy carries an especially painful reminder for the family. Roberts-Gariety was killed on her sister’s birthday, a date that now brings both grief and reflection each year.
In December 2025, a jury found Cunningham guilty of second-degree murder after hearing the evidence presented during the trial. The conviction marked an important step toward justice for Roberts-Gariety and her family. On Feb. 27, a judge sentenced Cunningham to 42 years in prison for the killing. For the victim’s family, the sentence provided a measure of relief, even though the pain of the loss remains.
