A Colorado man who went to his former co-worker’s home looking for a confrontation ended up killing the man’s wife instead. Now he will spend decades behind bars.
Ernest Cunningham, 53, was found guilty in December 2025 of second-degree murder in the death of 23-year-old Kelsey Roberts-Gariety. A judge later sentenced him to 42 years in prison for the fatal shooting.
The tragic incident happened on June 29, 2024, at an apartment in Denver where Roberts-Gariety lived with her husband.
According to investigators, Cunningham had previously worked with Roberts-Gariety’s husband but had been fired from the job. Authorities say he was angry about the situation and went to the couple’s apartment to confront the man.
But when Roberts-Gariety answered the door instead, Cunningham allegedly pulled out a gun and shot her.
She died from her injuries.
After the shooting, Roberts-Gariety’s husband told police that Cunningham knew where they lived and had ongoing problems with him after being fired.
He also claimed Cunningham had used drugs while on the job and began threatening him after losing his position.
Investigators say multiple witnesses helped police quickly track down the suspect.
One resident in the apartment building reported hearing a gunshot and then the sound of someone running away from the scene.
Another resident captured video of Cunningham leaving the building in his car shortly after the shooting. Police also used surveillance footage showing the vehicle leaving the area moments after the crime.
Authorities were able to locate and arrest Cunningham just hours later.
At the time of the killing, Cunningham was already out on parole for a previous burglary conviction.
During sentencing, family members of Roberts-Gariety spoke about the devastating impact of her death.
Her sister, Kylie Al-Nubu’at, said the family believes justice was finally served.
“He took my sister’s life,” she said. “We’re serving a life sentence of grief, so now I feel like justice has been served.”
With his 42-year sentence, Cunningham will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for the killing that shattered a young family.
Stupid decisions have consequences .Why are so many giving into the pokes of Satan