"I'm being followed. He has a gun." — Gloria Choi’s final 911 call
On January 2, 2022, Gloria Choi was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend Billy Rickman in Lakewood, Washington. Rickman was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder in November 2023 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Background
Choi met Rickman in May 2021 when he checked into the hotel she managed. They began a relationship, and Rickman moved in with her. By November 2021, Choi ended the relationship due to Rickman's alleged controlling and abusive behavior.
She obtained a domestic violence no-contact order on December 1, 2021, after Rickman was arrested for taking her truck without permission.
Stalking and Police Contact
Despite the order, prosecutors said Rickman continued to stalk Choi, including placing Apple AirTags on her vehicle.
Between December 30, 2021, and January 1, 2022, Choi and a friend reported multiple incidents to police: slashed tires, stolen items, and surveillance footage showing a man believed to be Rickman. Police did not make an arrest, citing insufficient evidence to identify the suspect from the video.
Murder
On January 2, 2022, Rickman allegedly ran Choi's truck off the road using a rented Chevrolet Colorado. Choi called 911, stating her boyfriend was following her and had a gun.
Rickman fired nine shots into her vehicle, then left. He returned, fired five more shots, and fled.
Choi died at a hospital. A police investigation identified Rickman as the suspect via phone records and surveillance video.
Arrest and Trial
Rickman was arrested in California on January 7, 2022, after a brief pursuit. At trial, the prosecution presented evidence including GPS data, surveillance footage, and testimony. The defense argued the investigation was incomplete.
The jury convicted after approximately two hours of deliberation.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Choi's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Lakewood and its police department, alleging officers failed to arrest Rickman despite knowing he was violating the no-contact order and stalking Choi.
The lawsuit remains unresolved as of May 2026.