An Orlando man has pled not guilty to a charge of first degree murder after previously admitting to shooting and killing his girlfriend in the back during an argument just hours after the couple’s son’s birthday.
Richard Raciak pled not guilty on April 24 to killing his girlfriend, 46-year-old Allison Marie Sheehan. Sheehan was found dead from gunfire on Sunday, April 16 at 2844 Smithfield Drive.
On Saturday, April 15, Raciak and Sheehan threw a birthday party for their shared son. The couple began fighting after their guests left and later that evening, the fighting turned physical.
Raciak claims that Sheehan had been attacking him when he “had to fire shots,” to “put her down,” according to texts he sent to his brother and father. He claimed self defense and said it was the “only choice” he had. He went on to send pictures of the murder scene to his brother and father, who contacted police to report the incident.
During an interview with police, Raciak told police that while the couple was arguing, he felt threatened by Sheehan and retrieved a fire arm. He said he believed Sheehan was going to “claw his eyes out,” because she had become jealous and was upset with him.
While he was standing by a dresser in their bedroom, Raciak says he retrieved a gun from a locked gun box and placed it within reach. Raciak, who stands 6’1″ and weighs 191 pounds, says he the became “pissed,” but did not want to strike Sheehan with his hands. Instead, he decided to use his firearm.
Raciak told authorities that, in an effort to “put her down,” he tried to “shoot her in the leg” so that she would “chill,” but “aimed high” and shot her in the “butt” and shoulder.
He admitted that he shot Sheehan as she was walking away from him and into the bathroom.
Raciak recently replaced his public defender with an attorney that he acquired shortly after being arrested.
On Monday, May 8, State Attorney Monique Worrell filed information in the case detailing the charge against Raciak.