A Missouri man will be spending decades in prison after admitting to the tragic shooting of a young mother and her unborn child. Emmett C. Williams, 35, received a 40-year prison sentence for the death of 22-year-old Shayla Curts and her baby, who she had already named Soleil. The heartbreaking crime occurred on the evening of December 6, 2022.
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That night, Kansas City police were called to a home on Bellefontaine Avenue after a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Shayla lying lifeless on a couch with a gunshot wound to her head. Nearby, a single bullet casing from a 9 mm handgun told part of the devastating story.
Witnesses shared chilling details about what happened. They said Williams had been hanging out in an upstairs bedroom with Shayla and others earlier that evening. At some point, Shayla went downstairs, and Williams soon followed. Moments later, the witnesses heard a single gunshot. One of them rushed downstairs, only to find Shayla dead and the front door wide open. Through the door, the witness spotted someone running away.
Shockingly, there hadn’t been any argument or fight between Shayla and Williams that night, leaving everyone puzzled about why this tragedy unfolded.
The next morning, around 4:15 a.m., Williams made a call to 911. He admitted to the shooting and said he wanted to turn himself in. During questioning, he told investigators that he had known Shayla for four years and occasionally saw her. He claimed she would insult him and use harsh words that he usually shrugged off. But on that night, his emotions got the better of him.
Williams explained that he had been struggling with the recent loss of several family members and his own mental health challenges, made worse by drug use. According to court documents, he said these factors built up until he “snapped.”
Williams described how, as he walked past Shayla sitting on the couch, he pulled out a gun and shot her in the head. Then, he simply walked out of the house. He later led police to a wooded area where he said he lost his gun, backpack, and phone after falling into a ravine. Investigators recovered the items after searching the area.
Shayla leaves behind two young daughters and a grieving family. Her obituary described her as a vibrant, loving person who brought joy to everyone she met. She was known for her sense of humor, her kind heart, and her willingness to help anyone in need. Her family and friends are committed to keeping her memory alive and honoring the beautiful spirit she was.
