A tragic event unfolded in Florida as a 21-year-old transgender man, who was eight months into his pregnancy, was fatally shot by his fiancé in an apparent murder-suicide being investigated by the local authorities.
The victim, Camdyn Rider, who identified with he/they pronouns, was misidentified in the initial police reports from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. According to the reports, 26-year-old Riley John Groover shot Rider multiple times in front of their home in Winter Haven around 7 p.m. on Friday, witnessed by several bystanders.
As per the Sheriff’s Office, “Family members disclosed that there were previous arguments between the couple that turned physical, but none of these incidents were reported to law enforcement.”
Social media posts reveal that Rider proposed to Groover in April 2022, and there are several expressions of Rider’s love for Groover. One post by Rider read, “From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted you in my life. I wasn’t sure in what capacity, but I wanted you there. You’ve shown me who I can be and what love should feel like.”
In March, Rider posted an ultrasound image, announcing his pregnancy, and in June, he revealed the baby’s gender and shared their plans to name the baby boy Oliver John Lee.
On Friday, Groover reportedly became “furious,” and despite attempts by family members, they were unable to protect Rider. As stated by the Sheriff’s office, “Despite the best efforts of first responders and medical personnel, the unborn child couldn’t be saved.”
HuffPost obtained police records indicating multiple arrests of Groover over the years, including a charge of domestic violence involving a female family member. In addition to past incidents of stalking and harassment, Groover was also involved in violent incidents in 2016 and 2018 involving family members.
The tragic incident underscores the grim statistic from a national survey that over half of transgender individuals experience intimate partner violence. The risk of abuse escalates during pregnancy, making homicide a leading cause of death among expectant individuals.