Zachary Robertson, a 21-year-old male from Burkburnett, TX, tragically lost his life on April 6, 2022, due to a gunshot wound to the head. The incident occurred at a residence on Glendale Street in Burkburnett. According to reports, Jacob Emro, a 23-year-old male, was involved in the shooting. Emro claimed that he was attempting to play a prank on Robertson with a shotgun he believed was loaded with blanks. However, the firearm discharged, resulting in Robertson's death.
Emro was subsequently indicted for manslaughter and tampering with evidence.
The investigation revealed that Emro had hidden in a bedroom, waiting for Robertson to arrive. When Robertson entered the room, Emro screamed, and Robertson responded with a scream of his own. At that moment, Emro pulled the trigger, thinking the shotgun was loaded with blanks. The gunshot struck Robertson in the head, leading to his immediate death. Following the incident, Emro panicked and attempted to hide evidence by removing all firearms and marijuana from the residence and transporting them to an abandoned mobile trailer on North Avenue F before calling the police.
Emro was arrested and charged with manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence. He confessed to the shooting, stating that he believed the firearm was loaded with blanks. The court proceedings led to Emro being sentenced to the maximum penalty for manslaughter, which is 20 years in prison. Additionally, he received a 10-year sentence for tampering with evidence, with both sentences to be served concurrently.
This tragic event marked the second accidental shooting death in Burkburnett within a span of four months. The previous incident involved the death of 19-year-old Quenten Liford, who was accidentally shot by his friend Matthew Tenney. Tenney was also charged with manslaughter and awaited trial for the incident. The community of Burkburnett was deeply affected by these consecutive tragedies, highlighting the dangers of mishandling firearms and the devastating consequences that can result from such actions.
