Full Breakdown
Murder of Gloria Choi: Stalking, Police Response, and Ongoing Legal Fallout
5/3/2026, 9:11:23 AM
Background & Context
Gloria “Glo” Choi, a 33-year-old single mother and hotel employee in Lakewood, Washington, began dating William “Billy” Rickman in 2021. After a November 2021 breakup, Rickman stalked her, leading Choi to secure a domestic-violence no-contact order in December 2021. She repeatedly reported harassment to police in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis counties.
Timeline of Key Events
- Nov 2021: Relationship ends.
- Dec 1 2021: No-contact order issued.
- Dec 30 2021: Rickman breaks into Choi’s truck, steals backpacks and laptops, and slashes a coworker’s tires.
- Jan 2 2022: Rickman forces Choi’s truck into a pole, approaches, and shoots her during a 911 call.
- Jan 7 2022: Rickman arrested in Humboldt County, California.
- Dec 7 2023: Jury convicts Rickman of aggravated first-degree murder; he is sentenced to life without parole on Dec 15.
- Sep 2023: Choi’s estate files a civil suit against the Lakewood Police Department.
- May 2: CBS “48 Hours” episode “The Love Bombing of Gloria Choi” airs.
Data & Statistics
Police logs show at least four 911 calls in the 48 hours before the shooting; other reports cite seven calls and eleven harassment complaints. Autopsy findings note ten gunshot wounds, while police evidence records fourteen shots, fourteen bullet marks on the vehicle, and twelve casings. Rickman’s criminal record includes two felonies and four misdemeanors.
Why It Matters
The case underscores challenges in enforcing no-contact orders and responding to repeated domestic-violence alerts. It fuels debate over law-enforcement protocols for stalking victims and may prompt policy reforms.
Official Statements & Responses
Lakewood officials say they lacked direct knowledge of an imminent threat and deny police contributed to Choi’s death. Prosecutors secured a life-without-parole sentence after a jury found Rickman guilty. The civil suit alleges the department knowingly ignored multiple no-contact order violations.
Criticism & Opposition
Friends and Choi’s estate attorney argue police failed to act on repeated distress calls, depriving her of legal protection. The lawsuit contends law-enforcement inaction enabled the fatal attack.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of gunshots—autopsy cites ten wounds, police evidence cites fourteen shots. The count of 911 calls and harassment reports varies, ranging from four to eleven incidents, indicating incomplete documentation of the threat timeline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I do blame the police for not taking it seriously,” — Brieanna Eberly, friend
- “deprived of the help that she’s entitled to under the law,” — Meaghan Driscoll, civil lawyer
- “He’s got a gun. Please come.” — Gloria Choi, 911 call
- “This death was as foreseeable as it was preventable,” — Meaghan Driscoll, civil lawyer
What’s Next
The civil lawsuit proceeds, potentially prompting a review of Lakewood’s domestic-violence response protocols. The CBS “48 Hours” feature aims to raise public awareness of stalking risks and may spur legislative scrutiny of no-contact-order enforcement.
