Man murdered his pregnant boyfriend then killed himself

A 26-year-old man in Florida allegedly shot and killed his eight-months-pregnant boyfriend, killing the unborn child as well, and then shot and killed himself, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Then, anti-LGBTQ+ activist Chaya Raichik, who goes by “LibsofTikTok” on Twitter, mocked the victim.

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Two other men have been arrested in connection with the string of crimes.

Riley John Groover of Winter Haven, Florida shot his boyfriend Camdyn Rider, 21, multiple times just after 7 p.m. on Friday evening outside of his neighborhood. Police said several neighbors witnessed the shooting.

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“When the suspect became enraged, family members and neighbors did everything they could to help [Rider] get away from him,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Please keep this family in your prayers.”

Rider was taken to a hospital, but medical professionals were unable to save the unborn child.

Groover and Rider were engaged and loved each other, according to Groover’s mother, who said that the two lived with her and had a “volatile relationship.” She said that her son took her gun, which she had in the house for protection, and used it in the murder-suicide.

Law & Crime confirmed the victim’s identity as a transgender man after local media misgendered him.

Newsweek reported that the victim’s Facebook had photos and videos of the couple, including a post about a gender reveal where he said that they were expecting a boy. He said that he was excited to marry Groover and they planned to name their baby Oliver John Lee.

“It’s crazy to imagine that I’m now gonna be a father, especially to a little boy,” the victim posted on June 19. “But man I’m so excited and couldn’t be happier, I couldn’t be happier to be doing it with you Riley Groover. Thank you for loving me, and thank you for this baby boy!! Oliver John Lee will be loved by many! I can’t wait for this journey with you my love. And I can’t wait to meet our oli bear.”

On Twitter, Raichik mocked the murder victim. Some of Raichik’s followers responded with laughing emojis and others posted Bible memes.

Deputies said that Groover had a history of violence but that prior domestic violence incidents involving Rider had not been reported to authorities.

His criminal record includes a 2014 incident where he admitted to firing a BB gun through the window of someone’s home. He then kicked a uniformed officer in the leg when he was being arrested. In a 2016 incident, he broke a bottle and used a hatchet to break several doors in his mother’s house.

In a 2018 incident, his mother called police after he got aggressive in an argument with his sister. He drove off and then came back and drove onto the front lawn while the sister was on the front porch, making her afraid he was going to run her over. He then pulled a knife on her and chased her with it and stabbed her. Prosecutors later dropped charges in that case when the sister signed a waiver saying she wanted Groover to get treatment for his autism and to take his medications.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for youth via chat, text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.