In a double murder-suicide in the Inwood community of Winter Haven, Florida, three lives were tragically lost.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect as 26-year-old Riley John Groover, who allegedly shot and killed himself after killing his partner. The victims have been identified as 21-year-old Camdyn Rider, a transgender man who was eight months pregnant, and his unborn child.
According to witnesses, the incident occurred on July 21 at around 7:00 PM in front of the couple’s residence on Central Avenue West. Groover allegedly shot Rider multiple times, and despite prompt medical attention, the unborn child could not be saved.
The suspect’s mother, who resided in the home, revealed that Groover and Rider were engaged, but their relationship was frequently fraught with conflict, often revolving around disagreements about household responsibilities in their shared home.
Groover’s mother said that her son took her gun, which she kept in the house for protection, and used it to shoot his lover.
Court documents reveal that Groover had a history of violence, with a record of targeting individuals in past incidents. At the age of 17, he admitted to firing BB pellets through a home’s window and engaging in persistent harassment. He had previously been convicted of battery on a law enforcement officer and was under a juvenile conditional release.
In more recent incidents, Groover was involved in altercations with family members, including an episode where he allegedly used a pocket knife to stab a relative. In some cases, charges were dropped at the victim’s request and due to the defendant’s ongoing treatment for autism in a group home facility.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.